The Puyallup Tribe first formalized relations with the government of the United States on December 24, 1854. After "negotiations" with Isaac Stevens, who served concurrently as Governor of the Washington Territory, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and head of the North Pacific Railroad exploration, the Puyallup signed the Treaty of Medicine Creek with its various provisions.

Of the nearly 400 treaties negotiated with Indian tribes from 1778 to 1871 only about two dozen mentioned any kind of medical services. The Puyallup Treaty of Medicine Creek is one of these. Article 10 in this treaty provides that the United States will ensure a physician to look after the health care of the Puyallup.

Since time immemorial and often under harsh and debilitating circumstances the Puyallup Indian Tribe, as a sovereign nation, has provided health care to their people. The Puyallup Tribe firmly considers medical care to be a treaty right and, as such, it is a service which has already been paid for through the cession of vast tracts of tribal lands. As a treaty right, health care should be provided "without charge" as it certainly has not been acquired without its "costs."

Traditional Practices

Prior to the arrival of the Europeans in the Northwestern United States, local Indians lived a healthy active existence. In the past, they ate natural foods obtained from their environment. The "white man" brought with them a new way of life for the coastal Indians. Some manifestations of this enforced cultural change are seen in the form of alcoholism and diabetes, two of the major health problems confronting Indian people today that were once unknown.

The Puyallup Tribe's aboriginal view of health and disease was greatly influenced by their spiritualistic view of the world. It was believed that an individual's health, both mental and physical, was directly related to the well-being of the individual's spirit.

Violation of the laws of the community or offenses against the powers or spirits existing in the natural world would cause a person to become sick. Among the Puyallup, care was provided by three distinct classes of providers: shamans, sucking doctors, and herbalists possessing traditional or familial knowledge.

At present, there have been sincere attempts to renew interest in the traditional value system and cultural heritage that was nearly lost to the Tribe through attempts at acculturation by the "dominant society." The revitalization of the fishing industry is only one example of the continued interest in cultural heritage. The revival of interest in the areas of native language, traditional medicine, mid-wifery, basket weaving and beadwork is becoming more prevalent and, hopefully, the trend will continue. It is imperative to the restoration of the Indian people as a healthy nation that they retain traditional ways of living with nature, as much as possible, while coexisting with the rest of society.