Straits Salish, Saanich in United States

Introduction / History

Primarily settling on the islands west of Washington, as well as within Washington and Oregon, the Saanich people group reside and have historical prospered for earlier centuries in history. The Saanich have also migrated from and to Canada, because of their physical proximity to British Columbia.

The Saanich is one group among the large Straits Salish population. As with other Straits Salish tribes, the Saanich have traditionally constructed longhouses, villages with family units as large as 40 members. The neighboring physical buildings permit the Salish to become close knit as village communities. The Saanich rely on both patriarchal and matriarchal ancestry lines, and the Straits Salish can trace their beginning origins among the Salish people from present-day Montana. The Saanich speak a combination of English, Coast Salish tribal languages, and Tasmosan languages.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Stevens Treaties, as finalized between 1850 to 1854, became the grounds for Western development to take on traditional lands which the Saanich previously resided. As the Saanich people have assimilated to Western culture, the Saanich have retained their indigenous status.

For physical recreation, the Saanich play sports similar to lacrosse, rugby, and martial arts. For strategical gameplay, the Saanich people enjoy slahal, bone game or handgame, as a team-building form of gambling, which the players determine the items wagered.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Saanich people traditionally believe in and give honor to guardian spirits and shapeshifting spirits. They also encourage their group members to pursue vision quests by losing consciousness. These practices aid their reverence to shamans, who communicate with the dead. Christianity has provided an alternative belief system, but when forced to convert, some previous Salish generations have simply blended their beliefs to appease the expectations to become Christian. However, a majority of them now identify as Christian, and they have a strong evangelical presence.

What Are Their Needs?

The Saanich people group have historically faced enslavement, invasion, warfare, losses of lands and lives, and generational curses, which all still plague current generations on varying degrees. These crippling factors can potentially hinder the Saanich people group from placing their trust with outsiders, regardless if such outsiders are genuine and compassionate. Despite the historical injustices, they need to move forward, with their identity closely tied to the God who gives them dignity.

Prayer Points

Intercede that God would work among the Saanich people freely and in new ways, so their hearts would be receptive to receiving the gospel.
Pray also for the Saanich people to experience authentic healing as they work through past generational woes and wounds.
May our Heavenly Father provide Saanich who have chosen Jesus previously to minister the gospel to both Native American and White non-believers.
Pray that soon Saanich Christian believers will disciple many, expanding Christ's kingdom.
May repentant-and-transformed Saanich believers model a lifestyle which draws hundreds to the only Savior.

Text Source:   Joshua Project