Study of Thurston Area Tribal Nations:
Chehalis Tribe, Nisqually Indian Tribe, Squaxin Island Tribe

Fifty years ago and again 23 years ago the LWVTC studied US tribal law and concerns and conflicts of relevance to tribes with rights in this state. In 2022-23 a Study Committee reviewed the many changes in the past decades and issued the Study of Thurston Area Tribal Nations, February, 2023.

The Study focused on the three tribes in the Thurston County area: Chehalis Tribe (people of the sands), Nisqually Indian Tribe (people of the grass country/people of the river),and Squaxin Island Tribe (people of the waters).


In May 2023 the chapter adopted seven position statements positions. These covered: Health Care, Sustainable Fish and Orca Management, Education About Tribes, Tribal Youth Attainment of a High School Diploma, Sovereignty and Right to Self-Governance, Infrastructure Planning, and Local Tribal History and Culture Awareness.

 For a copy of the Study, the positions, or the Executive Summary, click on the boxes.

Executive Summary Study of Thurston Area Tribal Nations LWVTC Feb 2023

Study of Thurston Area Tribal Nations LWVTC Feb 2023

For further learning, we recommend a free, self-paced, online Indian County 101 course. This 20 hour course was created in 2023 The Whitener Group (TWG), a tribal firm (Squaxin Island Tribe), and Washington chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The course focuses, after an introduction to tribal issues across the U.S., on Washington tribes.

Indian Country 101 Course