Congress Considers Duwamish Recognition
Statue of Chief Sealth (VictoriaExcelEnt.com)
Seattle takes its name from Chief Sealth, an icon of Coastal history and culture. Yet despite being the namesake for one of America's foremost cities, Chief Sealth's own Duwamish Tribe does not enjoy federal recogition status.
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) aims to change that, and has introduced legislation in the House of Representatives calling for federal recognition of the Duwamish Tribe. “Despite the Treaty of Point Elliot the Duwamish signed in good faith with the United States in 1855, federal recognition has not been extended and this is wrong," he said. "Promises were made to the Duwamish, but not kept. And it is time to correct this injustice for the Duwamish...”
The Duwamish Tribe appeared to have secured federal recogniton in the waning days of the Clinton Administration, but that status was denied by the Bush Administration. McDermott's legislation would determine the Tribe's status conclusively and permanently. Speaking before the House, McDermott said: “It is my hope that the new day dawning across America is bright enough to shine enough light for us to see and correct the injustices endured for too long by the first Americans.”
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