recover traditional lands, were rejected on the basis that the tribe was not separate from the Upper Skagit. Government In 1946, the Sauk-Suiattle established a separate tribal entity; they applied through the administrative process with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (US Department of the Interior) and was federally recognized as a tribe in 1973. Their written constitution was approved by the Secretary of the Interior in 1975. They elect seven Tribal Council members for three-year terms on an alternating schedule. They also elect the chairman and vice-chairman. Norma A. Joseph was elected chairman of the tribe in 2012. Since 2021 the Tribal Council has been embroiled in numerous scandals and is most noted for its corruption. Population and membership Tribal membership has today risen to about 400. The tribe sets the requirements for membership: individuals seeking to enroll must have at least 1/4 blood descent (equivalent to one grandparent) from one or more Native American ancestors recorded in this valley in the 1942 federal census. Under the Point Elliot Treaty, the Sauk-Suiattle has fishing rights on the rivers. They are a member of the Skagit River System Cooperative together with the Swinomish. Tribal enterprises The tribe operates a smokeshop and a country store through its economic development group. It opened a casino and bingo hall located on State Route 530 in September 2018. In early 2021 they opened a Marijuana Store. The casino only last a few months and eventually closed due to mismanagement by the Tribal Gaming Commission as well as the Tribal Council. Events The tribe celebrates an annual pow-wow, held in August. It also holds traditional stickgames at the same time. Language The Sauk-Suiattle language (Lushootseed) belongs to the Salishan family of Native American languages; dialects of Lushotseed have traditionally been spoken by several Salishan groups. Several of these languages are endangered, as speakers are a decreasing number of elders. References Sauk-Suiattle Reservation, Washington, United States Census Bureau External links Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe, official website Native American tribes in Washington (state) Coast Salish governments Geography of Skagit County, Washington Geography of Snohomish County, Washington Federally recognized tribes in the United States