Tulalip

Tulalip Tribes of Washington

Tulalip tribal flag
Total population
(2,500–2,800 enrolled members)
Regions with significant populations
United States ( Washington)
Languages
English, Lushootseed
Religion
traditional tribal religion
Related ethnic groups
other Duwamish,Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skagit, Suiattle, Samish, and Stillaguamish people

The Tulalip Tribes of Washington /tᵿˈleɪlᵻp/, formerly known as the Tulalip Tribes of the Tulalip Reservation, is a federally recognized tribe of Duwamish,Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skagit, Suiattle, Samish, and Stillaguamish people. They are South and Central Coast Salish peoples of indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Their tribes are located in the mid-Puget Sound region of Washington.

In November 2002, John McCoy, a Tulalip leader, was elected to the Washington State legislature. For a time he served as the only Native American in the legislature, but in 2012 another was elected. In 2002 the Tulalip Tribes also exerted political power by allying with other tribes across the state and defeating a state Supreme Court candidate "with a long track record of opposing tribal interests." In the fall of 2016, several Native Americans across the state are running for seats in the state legislature.

The term Tulalip comes from Snohomish and means "a bay shaped like a purse." It was used in 1855 to describe the tribes who joined together on the Tulalip Reservation established by treaty with the federal government. They included the Duwamish,Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skagit, Suiattle, Samish, and Stillaguamish peoples, all of whom are South and Central Coast Salish peoples.