The
bilateral kinship system was historically the foundation of Snoqualmie society, and the basis for higher social organization like that of the village.
Class system Snoqualmie society was stratified into three classes: high-class (), low-class (), and slave class (). Within the high-class families, there was also differences in the elite-ness of various families. Most families were upper class, with few lower-class families and even fewer slaves, owned by the wealthiest of the wealthy. Recognition of class rank was regional and based on one's family. While it was possible to move up and down the social ladder, it was uncommon, and most people inherited their high-class status from their families. Nobility was traditionally displayed in many ways. Having an important or famous name, a powerful spirit power, and proper behavior (such as generosity and diligence) were clear indications of high-class status. Class was also indicated by the size of one's house, or by one's wealth and prestige. On the other hand, laziness, selfishness, unruliness, as well as a general lack of prosperity, wisdom, and knowledge were seen as evidence of low-class status. Low class families were identified as those who had "lost their history," as described by anthropologist
Wayne Suttles. Particularly prestigious members of high-class families, such as powerful warriors or religious leaders, often became prominent leaders in their village and in broader society. Although they could wield great influence, they had no real authority over anyone else. While they organized and led various tasks, they could not force anyone to come with them or finish the job. Rather, a leader merely supervised the tasks and made suggestions which were often heeded because of their wisdom. Respected leaders were held in very high esteem by others, who often would donate portions of their food or gave other gifts to the leader as a token of respect. On the other hand, leaders which were not respected could simply be ignored with no threat of punishment. As the world began to change drastically during the early colonial period with the introduction of the fur trade, Snoqualmie leader Patkanim used the changing circumstances to his advantage to greatly increase his influence and authority, becoming a highly-powerful leader and controlling much of the trade on Puget Sound, paving the way for the later centralization of the Snoqualmie around his descendants. Slaves were prisoners of war and their descendants. Not all families owned slaves, although the wealthiest person in a village would always have at least more than two. Slaves often did menial work such as collecting water, cleaning, or cutting firewood. In some families, master and slave worked alongside each other, but slaves always did more work.
Property ownership and stewardship Certain types of property were owned privately, while others were owned by anyone who helped steward them. High value or rare resources, including root-digging plots, were private property, inherited from one's family. Other properties, such as houses, weirs, forts, and canoes, were available to use by anyone who helped in the construction. This resulted in most labor being voluntary, as participating in labor only served to help yourself and others.
Centralization under Patkanim In the early colonial period, the fur trade created circumstances enabling peoples far to the north, such as the
Lekwiltok of the
Kwakwaka'wakw, to begin large-scale annual raiding of peoples to the south for slaves, including the Snoqualmie. This resulted in a massive expansion of warfare and military capabilities among the Snoqualmie in order to defend against these raiders. Patkanim, a prominent leader of the time, used the expansion in trade and military to centralize and ferment his authority among the many Snoqualmie villages. Patkanim selected the village at to be his administrative center, while the village at what is now Fall City became his military center, strategically located and well defended by forts up and down the river. Patkanim also innovated a new system of political organization around him and his family throughout the villages of the Snoqualmie drainage system. There were three levels: the village, the district, and the chiefdom. Each level of organization had a chief, a subchief, and a council of chiefs. On the village level, the highest ranking family head served as the village chief. There were four districts: Monroe, Tolt, Fall City, and North Bend. Each district had its own role in the administration and defense of the Snoqualmie drainage system. The Monroe district guarded the mouth of the Snoqualmie River, the North Bend district guarded the mountain passes, the Fall City district was the military headquarters of the region, and the Tolt district functioned as a de facto capitol of the region. Patkanim appointed four of his relatives to be head chief of each district. Patkanim made himself the head chief of all the districts, traveling throughout the year to administer the various villages in the drainage system. Sonowa and the upriver Snoqualmie remained quite powerful and Sonowa was given the status of sub-chief of the North Bend district by Patkanim. In the early 20th century, the system developed by Patkanim continued to evolve further. Political systems which more closely resemble modern-day tribes began to emerge as a necessity to engage with the U.S. government for treaty rights. Following the loss of land of the Snoqualmie, the descendants of Patkanim reorganized the Snoqualmie political system into three villages at Lake Sammamish, Tolt, and Meadowbrook. The new system continued to be centered around Tolt and governed by the Kanim family under Jerry Kanim until his death in 1956. == Successor tribes ==