Washington Tribes Are Reviving First Food Traditions
Smoking salmon
What do salmon, camas, clams, and nettles have in common? They’re all Indigenous First Foods—part of a complex diet of natural resources that tribes have relied on since time immemorial. Traditional First Foods for tribes in what is now Washington state include berries, plants, roots, salmon, shellfish and wild game.
First Foods are more than just nourishment—they are vital to the cultural identity of Native tribes. They represent a deep connection with the land and a way of life that values respect and balance with nature. The right to hunt, gather and fish traditional foods is also fundamental to tribal sovereignty and guaranteed through tribal treaties.
Thimbleberry (ɫəɫaq in the Twulshootseed language)
Today, many tribes are working hard to revive Indigenous food traditions disrupted by colonization and industrialization. From clam gardens to camas harvests, tribes across the state are promoting health and sustainability, preserving culture and exercising their sovereignty through traditional food programs.
As part of this movement, Indigenous communities are sharing First Foods recipes, inviting others to experience these traditional flavors and learn about the deep cultural connections behind them.
Here’s a recipe to try at home!
You can find this recipe and a wealth of information about traditional foods and medicines on the Squaxin Island Tribe’s Salish Roots Farm Food Sovereignty Program Facebook page.