The future of a place is only as secure as its willingness to engage with and learn from its past.

 

Seattle, the largest city in Washington State, is named for Chief Si’ahl (Seattle) of the Duwamish Tribe. He was the first signer of the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855, along with several other Duwamish leaders. He signed that treaty to secure the rights of his Duwamish and Suquamish people. Yet while the Suquamish reservation was created, the reservation for the Duwamish—which was to be on the Black River near Seattle—was not. 

 

In fact, starting in the newly formed Washington Territory, Indian Agents requested a distinct and separate area for a Duwamish reservation. Yet in 1866, the City founders, many of whom had worked with and benefitted from the help given by the Duwamish Tribe in the early years of Seattle, petitioned the federal government against this reservation. Chief Si'ahl honored the Treaty, despite the Duwamish people’s exclusion.

In the face of incredible prejudice, the burning of 94 longhouses, and the destruction of the Black River in 1916, his people have continued to uphold the treaty to this day, despite all the promises of the treaty being withheld from them. 

The Duwamish continue the legacy of being stewards of this land…

 

…by actively working on environmental remediation projects benefiting the Duwamish lands and entire Puget Sound Area. 

The tribe has preserved the rich archeological heritage of the Seattle area by saving artifacts, ancestral human remains and sacred cultural sites. The Duwamish have provided invaluable cultural knowledge to help rename city parks and public spaces.

Since the opening of the Duwamish Longhouse in 2009, the Duwamish Tribe helps to educate the public about the Indigenous history and culture of Seattle. 

Overall, the Duwamish have stood together as a distinct and separate Indian tribe, and continue to leave their mark on the Seattle area, despite their lack of federal recognition, which deprives them access to education, housing, social services—their rights as a treaty tribe. 

Please sign the petition today.