Point Elliott Treaty

Quick Facts: Who was Point Elliott Treaty?

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Point Elliott Treaty

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1855 treaty establishing land settlement between the US and Puget Sound tribes.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Treaty of Point Elliott of 1855, or the Point Elliott Treaty,—also known as the Treaty of Point Elliot / Point Elliot Treaty—is the lands settlement treaty between the United States government and the Native American tribes of the greater Puget Sound region in the recently formed Washington Territory (March 1853), one of about thirteen treaties between the U.S. and Native Nations in what is now Washington. The treaty was signed on January 22, 1855, at Muckl-te-oh or Point Elliott, now Mukilteo, Washington, and ratified 8 March and 11 April 1859. Between the signing of the treaty and the ratification, fighting continued throughout the region.

Career & Major Achievements

Lands were being occupied by European-Americans since settlement in what became Washington Territory began in earnest from about 1845. Signatories to the Treaty of Point Elliott included Chief Seattle (si'áb Si'ahl) and Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Representatives from the Duwamish, Suquamish, Snoqualmie, Snohomish, Lummi, Upper and Lower Skagit, Swinomish, (in order of signing) and other tribes also signed. The treaty established the Suquamish Port Madison, Tulalip, Swin-a-mish (Swinomish), and Lummi reservations.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1845: 1845 Milestone — Lands were being occupied by European-Americans since settlement in what became Washington Territory began in earnest from about 1845.
2. 1855: 1855 Milestone — The Treaty of Point Elliott of 1855, or the Point Elliott Treaty,—also known as the Treaty of Point Elliot / Point Elliot Treaty—is the lands settlement treaty between the United States government and the Native American tribes of the greater Puget Sound region in the recently formed Washington Territory (March 1853), one of about thirteen treaties between the U.

Notable Quotes by Point Elliott Treaty

“The treaty was signed on January 22, 1855, at Muckl-te-oh or Point Elliott, now Mukilteo, Washington.” (1855)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Point Elliott Treaty

True or False: “The Treaty of Point Elliott was signed primarily to facilitate the permanent, voluntary cession of all tribal lands to the United States government.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the treaty involved land cession, it was not solely for permanent, voluntary surrender; it also established specific reservations for the signatory tribes, indicating retained rights.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adam Mickiewicz — Historical peer (Died in 1855) (1855): National Poet of Poland, Romantic master, and leading voice of Slavic literature.
• Alice Freeman Palmer — Historical peer (Born in 1855) (1855): Pioneering American educator and advocate for women's higher education.
• Alfred Tischbauer — Historical peer (Born in 1853) (1853): French artist and designer who found significant career success in Australia.
• Alphonse Bertillon — Historical peer (Born in 1853) (1853): Pioneering biometrics researcher who developed anthropometry for criminal identification.
• A. E. Housman — Historical peer (Born in 1859) (1859): English classicist and poet, renowned for his scholarship and melancholic verse.
• Aleksandr Popov (physicist) — Historical peer (Born in 1859) (1859): Pioneering Russian physicist credited with early radio receiving technology.
• Abai Qunanbaiuly — Historical peer (Born in 1845) (1845): Foundational Kazakh poet, composer, and Islamic reformer of the 19th century.
• Alexander III of Russia — Historical peer (Born in 1845) (1845): Emperor of Russia (1881–1894), known as The Peacemaker for his non-interventionist foreign policy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Point Elliott Treaty