Indigenous Peoples Month

As we honor the land we live on, knowing it was taken from the Puyallp tribe, we endeavor to learn more of their history and forge meaningful relationships with tribal members.

Lushootseed City Names

Contributed by the Puyallup Tribal Language Program

Throughout the United States, Native place names have been incorporated into American geography. The state of Washington is no different. There is much information floating around on the Native names, their meanings, how to spell and say them. We are here to set the record straight. The city of Puyallup was named after one of our villages located in downtown Tacoma, named puyaləp . But, our Lushootseed speaking Elders called the city, ‘st’iləqʷac – strawberry plant’ because this is where wild strawberries grew. This location was near Pioneer Park.
11/10/22
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/PuyallupTribeOfIndians/posts/pfbid0b8v7yX3jFiG5wK8JpQgq2QZmbFfPLrWkqcipSPJe1pWo7CT5nbUxFLzfy6LAeMNgl