Snoqualmie Tribe Recovers 12,000 Acres Of Ancestral Land

SEATTLE — It's the largest purchase of land the Snoqualmie Tribe has made in generations. Late last week, Snoqualmie Tribe leaders confirmed the acquisition of about 12,000 acres of land in eastern King County. The Tribe has named the parcel the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Forest, and says the land holds "significant cultural, historic, environmental, and economic value" to its members.

“Because of this purchase, roughly 12,000 acres of the ancestral lands of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe are being returned to the People who have loved, cared for, cultivated, and protected them since the beginning of time, and who dearly felt their loss for over a century,” said Snoqualmie Tribal Chairman Robert de los Angeles in a statement. “Going forward, our Tribe will sustainably manage these lands to produce revenue for our Tribe while we steward the functioning ecosystems and thriving wildlife populations that have shared these lands with our People since time immemorial.”

The Ancestral Forest runs near the lands the federal government had originally promised the Tribe as a reservation back in the 1930s— a deal the United States later reneged on, leaving the Tribe without land of its own, and forced to rely on rentals or donated lands to operate. Now, nearly a century later, a decades-long effort to reclaim the old lands has come to fruition.

Previously, much of the land was used as an industrial timber site. The Tribe says it will continue to sustainably harvest timber on the property, while taking safeguards to protect the local ecosystem, native plant species and wildlife.

"Having this space for future tribal members, but also current tribal members, to be able to have the space to connect with this land, and the plants and the animals is just going to be very healing for us," Jaime Martin, a tribal member and Executive Director of Governmental Affairs told KUOW.

The sale closed in the tail end of 2021. Following its completion, King County Executive Dow Constantine congratulated the Tribe on its acquisition, calling it a "victory for conservation" in Western Washington.

"The Snoqualmie Tribe has provided leadership on important economic and cultural challenges, including the emergency work to restore the Lake Sammamish Kokanee," Constantine said. "Today’s bold action affirms the Tribe’s strong commitment to protecting water quality and restoring habitat, contributing to the collective action we’re taking throughout local watersheds."

The acquisition of the Snoqualmie Tribe Ancestral Forest is the second major purchase the Tribe has made in recent years. Back in 2019, the Snoqualmie Tribe signed a $125 million deal to buy the Salish Lodge, and 45 acres surrounding Snoqualmie Falls, from the Muckleshoot Tribe. Together, organizers say the two purchases will help members reclaim their cultural heritage and ancient connection to the land.

“Caring for these lands is the sacred duty given to our Tribe by the Creator, and no one can do it better,” said Chairman de los Angeles.