Julia Jacobs

Julia Jacobs (1874–1962) was a matriarch and culture bearer of the Suquamish Tribe. She is known for having preserved and passed on traditional Squamish arts.

Biography Julia Jacobs was born in 1874 on a Portuguese ship in Port Madison Mill to an enslaved woman. Her mother died during childbirth, and her father was unable to keep her. Chief Jacob Wahalchu, the last chief of the Suquamish tribe, and his wife, Mary, adopted Julia. Mary taught Julia how to weave baskets, connecting her to the thousands of years old tradition.

Jacobs's adopted parents taught her tribal traditions, Lushootseed (the language of many Puget Sound tribes). Jacobs attended Tulalip Indian Boarding School, where she was unable to practice Suquamish traditions.

Jacobs had three children, Agatha Henry, Lawrence Webster, and Edith Alexis. Webster became the first chairman of the Suquamish Tribe and co-founder of the Suquamish Museum. Jacobs's grandchildren and great-grandchildren recalled her passing on knowledge of weaving and carving.