South Puget Sound Indians-
Who were the first people in South Puget Sound?

American Indian tribes lived throughout the South Puget Sound area. Each tribe had its own different language and customs, though they could communicate with each other by using a form of the Chinook jargon – a simple language of only a few hundred words.  The Chinook jargon was developed to aid trade between different tribes.

These South Puget Sound Indians are standing by a cedar canoe and cedar mat dwelling. 
Photo courtesy of Washington State Historical Society, Tacoma.

Some of the different tribal names recorded by early explorers and anthropologists (scientists who study people) are: Nisqually, Squaxin, S’Hommamish, Puyallup, Steh-chass, and Steilacoom. Many of these names can be seen today as names of rivers, towns, and islands. In fact, the name Tumwater comes from a Chinook jargon word tum-chuck, which means noisy or throbbing water.

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