Nooksack Tribal Elder George Adams shares the history of the Nooksack people and the land that has been their home for time immemorial. During this live interview, Whatcom County Library System Podcast host Neil McKay and Deming Library Public Services Assistant Joshua Olsen will engage with Adams to explore the important and sacred places of the Nooksack Tribe.

In the early 19^th century, the Nooksack Indians lived in 13 or more winter villages on or near the Nooksack River, the Sumas River and Lake Whatcom, centered on present-day Whatcom County. Their territory extended into Skagit County to the south and British Columbia to the north, and from Bellingham Bay in the west to Mt. Baker in the east. They spoke a distinct language, Lhéchalosem.

Today, the Nooksack Indian Tribe occupies only a small fraction of this area, and there are very few speakers of the language. Tribal Elder George Adams has worked to preserve the language and history of the Nooksack people. He is also a skipper (captain) for the annual Canoe Journey.

Adams was an important resource for the research that went into the book, Nooksack Place Names: Geography, Culture, and Language, by Allan Richardson and Brent Galloway. The book is available in the library collection and audio recordings and images of the place names are available online at www.nooksackplacenames.com.

*** This event is scheduled to take place online via Zoom. Space is limited. Click the registration button below to register for this event. ***

You must register for the event in order to receive the Zoom link to attend. There is no cost to register. Registration closes one hour prior to the event start time. If you need assistance, please call us at (360) 354-3600.