Territorial Timeline
Medicine Creek Indian Treaty signed
Medicine Creek Indian Treaty was signed on December 26, 1854. This was the first of ten Indian treaties negotiated by Governor Isaac Stevens.
The Medicine Creek Treaty was negotiated on the banks of Medicine Creek, now McAllister Creek, just north of Olympia. Governor Isaac I. Stevens, acting as Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Washington, negotiated the treaty on behalf of the United States. The Indians at the council represented the Nisqually, Puyallup, Steilacoom, Squaxin, Snohomish, Steh-chass, Peek-sin, Squiaitl, and Sawamish tribes. The treaty assigned reservation land, hunting and fishing rights, and a cash settlement of $32,500 over ten years, plus an immediate payment of $3,250. In addition, the United States promised to furnish agricultural and industrial training, a blacksmith, a carpenter, and a doctor. The U.S. Senate ratified the treaty was ratified on April 10, 1859.