Mysterious woodland creatures
long part of Suquamish culture

For many Suquamish people, stories about Sasquatch are not modern myths or campfire tales. They are connected to a deeper understanding of the world and the unseen forces within it.

Sasquatch is more than a creature of legend — it holds spiritual significance and ties directly into long-standing traditions about beings that share the land.

Kate Ahvakana, the Suquamish Tribe’s Cultural Resources Director, grew up hearing stories about Sasquatch and other culturally connected creatures of the forest.

“Sasquatch is similar to other beings we talk about, like the Stick Indians,” Ahvakana explains. “They aren’t necessarily good or bad — they just are. They live in the woods and have their own way of being. You have to be careful with them because they don’t think like us.”

The Stick Indians are part of Suquamish oral history. These trickster spirits are said to lure people into the woods, leading them astray. Although they are not malicious, their actions can be dangerous. Ahvakana explains that whistling at night can attract their attention — and potentially the attention of other beings, including Sasquatch. “It’s like you’re inviting them into your space, and that’s not something you want to do.”

Another creature of the woods that has long been used to teach lessons to children is the Basket Ogress, a cautionary tale that has been passed down through generations.

“The Basket Ogress is like a boogeyman story,” Ahvakana says.

“She comes after children who are unclean or unkind. The story is meant to teach kids to be mindful of their actions.”
In the tale, the Basket Ogress captures disobedient children, placing them in her basket and carrying them away. While the story has variations across different Coast Salish cultures, it is always used as a way to remind young people to behave properly and respect the world around them.

The Suquamish people have long understood that the forest holds mysteries, and it’s important to respect them. For generations, stories of Sasquatch and other spirits have taught young people to be mindful of their actions, especially when they are in the woods.

Ahvakana explains that these beings are often encountered by those who are particularly sensitive to the spiritual world or spend long periods of time in the woods. “Hunters, fishers, and people who live closely with the land are more likely to experience these things,” she says. “It’s not something everyone sees, but it’s something many of us feel.”
By Jon Anderson
Suquamish News Staff Writer