Nooksack in United States

The Nooksack have only been reported in United States
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
More extensive map at peoplegroups.info

Introduction / History

The Nooksack people are indigenous to the northwest corner of Washington State, primarily in Whatcom County near the Nooksack River. They are part of the Coast Salish cultural and linguistic group.Traditionally, they spoke Lhéchelesem (also called Nooksack), a Salishan language closely related to Halkomelem of British Columbia. Lhéchelesem was once considered extinct after the death of its last native speaker in 1977. However, revitalization efforts led by tribal elders and linguists have brought the language back into use through classes, recordings, and cultural programs. The Nooksack Tribe was federally recognized in 1973, though they were not granted reservation land during the 19th century. Their ancestral territory once extended into present-day British Columbia, but colonial borders divided their communities. Today, the Nooksack people live in and around Deming, Washington, about 12 miles south of the Canadian border.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Community life centers on cultural preservation, education, and environmental stewardship. The Nooksack Cultural Resources Department supports traditional practices, including hunting, fishing, storytelling, and seasonal gatherings. Nooksack Indian Tribe.Tribal members participate in cultural events, language classes, and intertribal gatherings. Many work in tribal administration, education, or natural resource management. The tribe also collaborates with neighboring indigenous nations to protect sacred sites and maintain ancestral connections to the land.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Historically, the Nooksack practiced a form of Indigenous pantheism, with spiritual beliefs rooted in nature, seasonal cycles, and ancestral teachings. Today, many Nooksack people blend traditional spirituality with Christianity and other faiths. Ceremonial practices, such as canoe journeys and potlatches, continue to hold spiritual significance.


What Are Their Needs?

Lhéchelesem remains endangered, and fluent speakers are rare. Continued support for language education is essential to revitalization efforts. Preserving oral traditions, place names, and ceremonies is equally important, as they sustain cultural continuity, identity, and healing. Many community members, especially youth, are seeking deeper spiritual connection, often feeling disconnected from traditional teachings. Protecting ancestral lands and waterways is also vital—for both cultural survival and ecological health. At the same time, internal tribal disputes and external pressures have strained community cohesion. Healing, recognition, and reconciliation are urgently needed to restore unity.


Prayer Items

Ask God to bring healing and a Christ-based spiritual renewal to Nooksack youth and families.Pray that Nooksacks will soon become Christ’s ambassadors to those without hope.Intercede for tribal leaders and educators to guide their communities with biblical wisdom and courage.Pray for unity and reconciliation within the tribe and with neighboring nations.Pray for efforts to protect lands and waters from environmental harm.Please pray for the revitalization of the Nooksack language and the emergence of new fluent speakers.


Scripture Prayers for the Nooksack in United States.


References

Nooksack Culture ProgramNooksack People - WikipediaRevitalizing the Nooksack Language - Cascadia Daily News


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Nooksack
People Name in Country Nooksack
Alternate Names
Population this Country 2,000
Population all Countries 2,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 13971
ROP3 Code 107387
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Washington: northwest.   Source:  Ethnologue 18
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Washington: northwest..   Source:  Ethnologue 18

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Estimated Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
60.00 %
Ethnic Religions
30.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
10.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language English (2,000 speakers)
Language Code eng   Ethnologue Listing
Written / Published Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language English (2,000 speakers)
Language Code eng   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking English

Primary Language:  English

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1530-1995)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1380-2011)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1382-2020)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
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Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
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Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Audio Recordings Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Hagar: The God who Sees Light in Action
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in English Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Tetelestai:  Creation to Christ Light in Action
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Productions
Film / Video The Hope Video for Native Americans in the Northern Plains region Mars Hill Productions
Film / Video Walking with Jesus video Jesus Film Project
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
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Mobile App Android Bible app: EasyEnglish Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: EasyEnglish Bible - New Testament General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: English YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: English Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: ERV Bible Bible League
Mobile App Android Bible app: ERV Bible (UK) Bible League
Mobile App Android Bible app: her.BIBLE Women's Audio Bible Cru
Mobile App Android Bible app: John - EasyEnglish Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Plain English Version Bible Vernacular Scriptures Australia
Mobile App Android Bible app: Ruth - EasyEnglish Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: The Bible for the Deaf Bible Society of South Africa
Mobile App Android Bible app: The NET Bible® Scripture Earth
Mobile App Android Bible app: The Pastors Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Translation for Translators Wycliffe Bible Translators
Mobile App Android Bible app: UnfoldingWord Literal Text Bible (English) Internet Publishing Sevice
Mobile App Android Bible app: UnfoldingWord Simplified Text Bible (English) Internet Publishing Sevice
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Rafa Bible Radio English General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Actified General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Bible Story Handbook Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Community Transformation Handbook Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Grace Ministries Books Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: JM English: Jesus Messiah General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Kande Story - living with HIV Internet Publishing Sevice
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: LTMP Bible app (Light To My Path) General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: My Talking Bible Stories General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: My Talking Library General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Open Bible Stories (English) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Prayers of a Godly Husband General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Prayers of a Wise Parent General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Prayers of an Excellent Wife General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Praying the Light General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: The Way of Righteousness - Part 1 Rock International
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: The Way of Righteousness - Part 2 Rock International
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App iOS Bible app: English YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: ERV Bible Bible League
Mobile App iOS Bible app: ERV Bible (UK) Bible League
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Grow In Wisdom Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: her.BIBLE Women's Audio Bible Cru
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter EasyBibles General / Other
Text / Printed Matter tools for gospel conversations Cru
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.