Nooksack in United States

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 Points

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.

Text Source:   Joshua Project