Snee Oosh, Washington

Snee Oosh (also spelled Snee-Oosh or Snee-oosh; Lushootseed: sdiʔus) is a populated place on Fidalgo Island in the U.S. state of Washington, on the Swinomish Indian Reservation.^[1][2] The population was reported as 302 in 1999.^[3]

Snee Oosh, Washington sdiʔus
Stop sign at the intersection of Snee-Oosh Road and Reservation Road
Named after	"look the other way"
Population  (1999)
• Total	302

There is also a Snee Oosh Point at 48°24′01″N 122°32′51″W,^[4][5] and Snee Oosh Beach at 48°24′07″N 122°32′38″W.^[6]

History

Snee Oosh is the site of one of the main Swinomish villages occupied in historic times.^[7] The name "Snee Oosh" is derived from the Lushootseed name, sdiʔus, which means "look the other way."^[8]

Kukutali Preserve

The Kukutali Preserve, an extension of Deception Pass State Park jointly administered by the Swinomish and Washington State Parks in a unique arrangement, is adjacent to Snee Oosh, and occupies the entirety of Flagstaff Island and Kiket Island.^[9][10] It is the first state–tribal co-managed park in the United States.^[11] Kiket Island was once the planned site of a nuclear power plant.^[12]

Sign at the entrance to Kukutali Preserve in Snee Oosh