Juan Islands. The U.S. Court of Claims later rules in a land claims case (1927) that the island’s Indigenous peoples are "a subordinate band of the Lummi and Samish Indian tribes, and as such bound by the treaty of Point Elliott to which the Lummi Tribe agreed.” 1884: She-Kla-Malt (1825-1900) obtains title to a Lhaq'temish (Lummi) village site, part of the larger community of whelaalk, through the Indian Trust Homestead Act. This site remains in Indigenous ownership – and a gathering place for the Indigenous community – until 1983, when She-Kla-Malt’s granddaughter Pearl Little died without direct heirs. 1900: Indigenous leaders on the island, identified in depositions in 1927 before the U.S. Court of Claims in Duwamish et al v. United States, include Captain George and Chief Seattlak. 1919: Charles Roblin, an agent for the U.S. Office of Indian Affairs, identifies 180 people as being of the Mitchell Bay or San Juan Tribe. 1926: The “San Juan Islands Tribes of Indians” are listed as a plaintiff in the case of Duwamish et al v United States, which seeks just compensation for lands ceded in the Treaty of Point Elliott. 1927: Among those testifying in Duwamish et al v United States is Catherine Mason, secretary of the San Juan Tribe of Indians. She testifies that 318 people are enrolled with the Tribe. 1957: The San Juan Tribe of Indians file a land compensation claim with the Indian Claims Commission. The claim is denied. The commission rules: “It appears from the evidence that the San Juan Tribe of Indians are composed, at least in part, of descendants and successors in interest of the Lummi and Samish Indians, both of whom have filed claims before the Commission.” 1971: The Mitchell Bay Indian Tribe is included in a report of the Washington state Indian Affairs Task Force, “Are You Listening, Neighbor?” 1976: The people of the Mitchell Bay Indian Tribe adopt a constitution and bylaws and elect a seven-member council. William P. Chevalier is elected chairman. Present day Mitchell Bay Band members and descendants continue to be involved in cultural preservation, habitat and resource protection, Indian law, and traditional fisheries. The National Park Service commissions a report, "Historical Study of the Mitchell Bay Band and San Juan Tribe." References Native American tribes in Washington (state) Skagit County, Washington Coast Salish