The Suquamish Tribe of Washington made history and headlines this month when it approved same-sex marriage.

But unlike controversial battles throughout the U.S., same-sex marriage was not an issue for the 1,050-member tribe. Tribal members unanimously supported it at a general council meeting in March and the tribal council formalized it with a resolution on August 1.

“It was an important statement, but it wasn’t one that was a real struggle to make,” Chairman Leonard Forsman told The New York Times. “We really saw this as a housekeeping issue.”

Elsewhere in Indian Country, only the Coquille Tribe of Oregon has recognized same-sex marriage. The Navajo Nation and the Cherokee Nation, the two largest tribes, do not recognize it.

Get the Story:
A Washington State Indian Tribe Approves Same-Sex Marriage (The New York Times 8/12)

An Opinion:
Nicole Brodeur: Suquamish land, where gay marriage is welcome (The Seattle Times 8/5)

Related Stories:
KUOW: Suquamish Tribe makes history on same-sex marriages (8/4)
Young Suquamish woman leads effort for same-sex marriages (8/3)
Suquamish Tribe approves resolution for same-sex marriages (8/2)