Lummi

Lummi refers to the Lummi people, a Coast Salish Indigenous group of western Washington state. The Lummi Nation is the federally recognized tribe that administers the Lummi Indian Reservation, with its government based on the Lummi Peninsula near Bellingham in Whatcom County. They are part of the broader Coast Salish cultural and linguistic region and historically occupied the Puget Sound area, relying on salmon fishing, shellfishing, cedar harvesting, and other coastwise resources.

The Lummi language is a member of the North Straits Salish sub-branch of the Coast Salish language family. Today, many Lummi people speak English, but language revitalization and education programs are active to preserve and transmit Lummi cultural and linguistic heritage.

Geographically, Lummi lands include the Lummi Peninsula and nearby Lummi Island in Puget Sound. The island bears the name of the Lummi people and is accessible by local ferry service from the mainland.

In contemporary times, the Lummi Nation operates through its government structures, including the Lummi Indian Reservation government and the Lummi Indian Business Council, providing services such as health, education, and law enforcement. The nation engages in natural-resource management, fisheries, and economic development, including the Silver Reef Casino Resort in Ferndale, Washington. Culturally, the Lummi continue traditional practices such as fishing, canoe making, and ceremonial gatherings, while pursuing language and cultural heritage programs to sustain their identity within the broader region.