"[2] In English, the Steilacoom have also been called Stailakoom, Chillacum,[3] Scht'ilaqwam, Steilacoomamish,[4][5] Steilaquamish,[6] Steilakumamish,[5] and Stelakubalish.
These islands, as well as the Nisqually River's delta, were not owned by one people, and instead were shared equally between the groups of the vicinity, including the Steilacoom.
Various writers have classified the Steilacoom as a part of the Puyallup and Nisqually, however this stems primarily from the terms being used as a stand-in for all the related peoples of the southern Puget Sound area.
[7] The Steilacoom were one of the first peoples affected by colonization in western Washington, as the first trading post, army post, church, and town located north of the Columbia River were founded inside their territory.
In the writings of Hudson's Bay Company factors William F. Tolmie and John McLaughlin, as well as in the writers of the fort's staff, the Steilacoom are mentioned heavily.
[11] In 1854, the Steilacoom were signatory to the Treaty of Medicine Creek, under which they ceded their land to the United States in return for a reservation.
[3] From 1855-1856, during the Puget Sound War, the Steilacoom were forcibly removed from their territory and placed on Fox Island by J. V. Weber, Indian agent.
His older cousin Joseph McKay became leader following his death, and would later move to the Puyallup Reservation.
[9] The traditional language of the Steilacoom is Lushootseed (also called Puget Sound Salish[12][3]), of which they spoke the southern dialect.
From 1975 until her death, Joan Ortez served as chairperson following the resignation of Lewis Layton.