Semiahmoo
Semiahmoo is a small Indigenous group located primarily in Washington State and British Columbia, belonging to the Salishan linguistic family. Traditionally, they lived in permanent winter homes and relied heavily on the sea for sustenance, with salmon being a central food source. Their fishing practices were diverse and included the hunting of sea mammals such as whales. The Semiahmoo had strong socioeconomic ties with neighboring tribes, including the Nooksack and other Central Coast Salish peoples. Notably skilled in weaving, they utilized materials such as down, dog wool, and mountain goat wool for various crafts. The arrival of European settlers in the 19th century significantly impacted the Semiahmoo, leading to a decline in their population due to disease and conflict. The establishment of the Semiahmoo Reserve in 1887 and the signing of treaties marked important historical events, but challenges in preserving their culture and traditional practices continued into the 21st century. Despite these difficulties, the Semiahmoo community remains committed to maintaining their cultural heritage, with a recorded population of 71 individuals as of the 2021 Canadian census.
On this Page
Semiahmoo
- CATEGORY: Tribe
- CULTURE AREA: Northwest Coast
- LANGUAGE GROUP: Salishan
- PRIMARY LOCATION: Washington, British Columbia
The sea-oriented Semiahmoo lived in permanent winter dwellings. They maintained close socioeconomic relations with the contiguous Nooksack, Downriver Halkomelem, and other Central Coast Salish tribes. Fish were the main provider of subsistence, especially salmon, which stored well for winter. All methods of fishing were employed. Sea mammals, including the whale, were also taken, usually by harpooning. Land hunting and gathering provided a wide variety of foods and by-products. Like all Central Coast Salish, the Semiahmoo were noted weavers, using down, dog wool, and mountain goat wool.
The Strait of Juan de Fuca was first discovered in 1787 by the fur trader Charles Barkley, and by 1827, the Hudson’s Bay Company established Fort Langley on the Fraser River, which became a major trade center for the region. The Lummi Reservation was established on part of Semiahmoo territory in 1855 with the signing of the Treaty of Point Elliott. Thousands of miners and gold-seekers entered the area when gold was discovered in 1858, creating further deculturation and conflict for the Indigenous peoples.
Following the arrival of Europeans, the Semiahmoo population was drastically decreased through disease and warfare. In 1887, the Canadian government established the Semiahmoo Reserve around the Canada-United States border. The Semiahmoo struggled to adapt to changes to their traditional fishing practices brought about by loggers and large-scale fishing operations. In the twenty-first century, the Semiahmoo remained a small First Nations people in Canada, with a population of 71 as of the 2021 Canadian census. Although they continued to face challenges, the Semiahoo worked to maintain their culture and traditions.
Bibliography
"Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population Profile Table: Semiahoo." Statistics Canada, 2 Aug. 2024, www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&SearchText=Semiahmoo&DGUIDlist=2021A00055915801&GENDERlist=1,2,3&STATISTIClist=1&HEADERlist=0. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.
Kennedy, Dorothy, et al. "Coast Salish." The Canadian Encyclopedia, 25 July 2019, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/coastal-salish. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.
"Land, Research & Resource Management." Semiahmoo First Nation, www.semiahmoofirstnation.ca/land-research-resource-mgmt. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.
Moman, Sobia. "'Before the World Was Right:' Semiahmoo Chief Shares History of P’Quals." Peace Arch News, 21 July 2023, www.peacearchnews.com/community/before-the-world-was-right-semiahmoo-chief-shares-history-of-pquals-2881513. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.
"Semiahmoo First Nation." Government of British Columbia, 3 Jan. 2024, www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/consulting-with-first-nations/first-nations-negotiations/first-nations-a-z-listing/semiahmoo-first-nation. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.