Lummi Nation
Lummi Nation – Lhaq ‘temish (People of the Sea)
The peoples of the Lummi Nation are the original inhabitants of the land and coastal waters now known as Bellingham and Ferndale in Whatcom County, WA. They are descendants of an aboriginal community that inhabited the San Juan Island archipelago of Washington State.
Their ancestors were a people of the “seasonal round” who spent much of the spring, summer, and early fall hunting and gathering, returning to their permanent village sites for the winter months. Known as the “salmon people,” their oral history pays homage to the Salmon Woman and her Children.
The area is known today as the Lummi Nation on the north side of Bellingham Bay was formed by the Treaty of 1855. The Lummi are the third largest tribe in Washington State, with more than 5,000 members.
Nationally recognized as a leader in tribal self-governance and education, the Lummi Nation is home to the Northwest Indian College, which is accredited as a 4-year, baccalaureate-granting college serving 1,200 students annually from tribes throughout the nation.
Educational principals are centered on the belief that a self-awareness program must include a study of Native American culture, values and history.
Learn more about the history of Lummi Nation and Whatcom County while visiting the permanent exhibition at Whatcom Museum, People of the Sea and Cedar.
Connections to the land and water have remained strong among the Lummi People. Many are fishermen and artists, actively preserving their ancient traditions.
Every June, the community welcomes all to celebrates their past, present, and future at the Lummi Stommish Water Festival, with cedar canoe races, games, song, dance, and more!
Support Lummi business owners at these locations:
Purchase seafood right from local vendors right at Squalicum Harbor, including Lummi Seafood market.
Open year-round on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
This tribally run business and cultural hub is located in the Lummi Nation.
Established in 2012 by the Lummi Indian Business Council, the center provides affordable retail and studio space for local entrepreneurs, artists, and food vendors.
It houses a seafood market with locally harvested sustainable fish and shellfish, a cafe with a traditional salmon BBQ pit, retail shops featuring Native artwork and jewelry, and artist studios where Lummi vendors can share their work.
Find more information here.
Owned and operated by Lummi Nation, the Silver Reef Casino features over 200 luxury hotel rooms and suites, a full-service spa, and Loomis Trail Golf.
The resort includes 1,100 slot machines, 17 table games, 30,000 sq. ft. of event space, live entertainment, and 11 award-winning restaurants and bars.
