The Tulalip Tribes dedicate a new longhouse at the Tulalip Reservation on Treaty Day, January 22, 1914.

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On January 22, 1914, Indians from the region gather at the Tulalip Reservation to celebrate Treaty Day and the completion of a new longhouse. Festivities include songs, dances, games and storytelling, with a dinner at noon. John A. Juleen (1874-1935) of Everett is present to photograph the event.

Tulalip’s New Longhouse

Treaty Day celebrations took place in a new longhouse built by tribal members. Measuring 116 feet by 43 feet in size, the building featured story poles carved by William Shelton on the heavy beams lining the interior.

The program lasted all day, with the following events listed in an Everett Tribune article the next day.

9 a.m. Addresses by members of the Snohomish and Swinomish tribes

10 a.m. Games and story telling, “Siah-hal, Siaha-halub,” etc. by leading chiefs

Noon Dinner at potlatch house

1:30 p.m. Songs of welcome, potlatch chief

War dance, “Of 60 Years Ago,” Snohomish Tribe

Song, “Chief Medicine Man,” Willapoint Tom

Song and dance, “My Skookum,” Sam Wyakes

Song, John English

Skagit tribal song, Mrs. Jake Suh-doh-litza

Songs and dances, Swinomish chiefs

War dances, “The Man Eater,” Jack Cladoosby

Songs and dances, Lummi Tribe

War dance, “Squak-taup,” Tulallip vs. Swinomish

8:30 p.m. Dance, everybody

Money for the event was raised through donations.

Using a glass-plate camera, Everett photographer John A. Juleen recorded images of the celebration. These negatives are now in the collection of the Everett Public Library. Newspaper accounts tell us that in the previous year, 1913, two motion picture operators recorded the Treaty Day celebration event. These movies have not been found.

Sources:
"Tulalip Indians Observe Anniversary of Treaty,” Everett Morning Tribune, January 23, 1914, p. 1; “Only Indians Take Part in Treaty Day Celebration,” Everett Herald, January 23, 1914, p. 1.

By Margaret Riddle, March 11, 2008

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This file made possible by:
Henry M. Jackson Foundation

New Tulalip longhouse, Tulalip, January 22, 1914
Photo by J. A. Juleen, Courtesy Everett Public Library

Interior of new longhouse, Tulalip, January 22, 1914
Photo by J. A. Juleen, Courtesy Everett Public Library

Attendees at Tulalip Treaty Day celebration, Tulalip, January 22, 1914
Photo by J. A. Juleen, Courtesy Everett Public Library

Bone game in session, Tulalip, January 22, 1914
Photo by J. A. Juleen, Courtesy Everett Public Library

Dinner at Treaty Day celebration, Tulalip, January 22, 1914
Photo by J. A. Juleen, Courtesy Everett Public Library