The Duwamish Tribe, an indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest, holds a significant place in the history and culture of the Seattle metropolitan area. As the original inhabitants of this land, their story is one of resilience, cultural richness, and a persistent struggle for federal recognition. This article delves into the history, traditions, and contemporary challenges faced by the Duwamish Tribe.
Ancestral Roots: People of the Inside and the Large Lake
The ancestry of the Duwamish Tribe can be traced back to at least two distinct groups who thrived in the region long before extensive contact with people of European descent. These groups, known as the People of the Inside and the People of the Large Lake, each inhabited distinct geographical areas and developed unique cultural identities.
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The People of the Inside: This group resided in the environs of Elliott Bay and along the Duwamish River, which at the time, was a sprawling estuarial system. Their villages dotted the shoreline, taking advantage of the abundant marine resources the bay offered. The name Dkhw’Duw’Absh (pronounced doo-AHBSH), meaning "People of the Inside," reflects their close relationship with the waters of Elliott Bay.
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The People of the Large Lake: In contrast, the People of the Large Lake, or hah-choo-AHBSH, lived around the shores of Lake Washington. Their settlements were strategically located to access the lake’s freshwater resources, including fish, waterfowl, and edible plants. A smaller group, the Ha-achu-abshs or Ha-achu-AHBSH, meaning "People of the Small Lake," resided around Lake Union, maintaining a distinct identity while remaining culturally connected to the larger group.
Prior to the construction of the Lake Washington Ship Canal in the early 20th century, Lake Washington drained into the Black River, which then joined the Cedar and White (now Green) Rivers to form the Duwamish River, eventually emptying into Elliott Bay. As interaction with European settlers increased, these distinct groups gradually unified under the name Duwamish Tribe, forming a stronger collective identity.
Traditional Territory and Village Life
The traditional territory of the Duwamish Tribe encompassed a wide area of present-day Seattle and its surrounding areas. Thirteen prominent villages were located within the boundaries of what is now the city of Seattle, demonstrating the deep connection between the tribe and this land.
Like other Coast Salish peoples, the Duwamish practiced a semi-nomadic lifestyle, moving between seasonal camps to take advantage of available resources. Villages were not permanent settlements but rather hubs of activity that shifted depending on the time of year. In spring, families dispersed into smaller groups to gather plants and hunt. Summer brought the salmon runs, a time of abundance when people congregated to harvest and preserve fish. Winter was spent in longhouses, communal dwellings that provided shelter and a sense of community.
These longhouses, known as khwaac’ál’al or sy’d’b’l?tx’, were constructed from cedar planks and housed extended families, often accommodating dozens of people. Villages were strategically located near beaches, bodies of water navigable by canoe, and sources of fresh water. The surrounding landscape was primarily forested, making canoes the preferred mode of transportation.
Subsistence and Resource Management
The Duwamish people were skilled resource managers, utilizing a diverse range of plants and animals to sustain themselves. Their diet was based on the seasonal availability of resources, with a strong emphasis on seafood and salmon.
Before extensive civil engineering altered the landscape, the region boasted extensive tidelands teeming with shellfish. The summer salmon harvest was a cornerstone of Duwamish life, both as a food source and as a time for spiritual ceremonies. Other important food sources included deer, elk, ducks, and small animals, as well as a variety of berries and roots.
In the spring, women harvested salmonberry shoots and bracken fern fiddleheads, while men hunted deer and elk. Camas, a starchy root vegetable, was gathered from nearby prairies or obtained through trade. During the summer and fall, a variety of berries, including thimbleberries, salal berries, raspberries, and strawberries, were foraged and either eaten fresh or dried and preserved for the winter.
Shellfish and tidal resources were available year-round, providing a reliable source of protein. The arrival of salmon in midsummer marked the beginning of a crucial period of harvesting and preserving. Fish were dried on racks to ensure a steady supply of food throughout the winter months.
During the wet winter and early spring, the Duwamish supplemented their diet with ducks, beaver, muskrat, raccoon, otter, and bear. However, resources were not always plentiful, and food shortages were a constant concern. Trade networks and potlatches, elaborate gift-giving ceremonies, played a vital role in redistributing resources to areas in need.
Social Organization and Cultural Practices
Duwamish society was organized around extended family groups within villages, with a strong emphasis on reciprocal hospitality. Society was divided into upper class, lower class, and slaves, all largely hereditary. Nobility was based on impeccable genealogy, intertribal kinship, wise use of resources, and possession of esoteric knowledge about the workings of spirits and the spirit world, making an effective marriage of class, secular, religious, and economic power.
Relationships and trade were often cemented with intermarriage, linking villages and conferring status and trading privileges. While each village had its own customs, there were strong commonalities in language, philosophical beliefs, economic conditions, and ceremonial practices.
Trading relationships were extensive throughout the Pacific Northwest, connecting the Duwamish with other Coast Salish nations and even extending over the mountain passes to Eastern Washington. The abundance of resources in the Puget Sound region allowed the Skagit-Nisqually Salish to develop one of the world’s few sedentary hunter-gatherer societies.
Treaty of Point Elliott and the Struggle for Recognition
The Treaty of Point Elliott, signed in 1855, marked a turning point in the history of the Duwamish Tribe. While the treaty ceded vast amounts of land to the United States government, it also reserved certain rights for the signatory tribes, including the right to fish in their usual and accustomed places.
Despite being a party to the treaty, the Duwamish Tribe has never been officially recognized by the U.S. federal government. This lack of recognition has had profound consequences, denying the tribe access to essential services and resources.
The Duwamish Tribe has been actively pursuing federal recognition for decades, facing numerous legal and political hurdles. In the 1930s and 1950s, the tribe participated in land claims against the federal government. Following the Boldt Decision in 1974, which affirmed the treaty fishing rights of several Puget Sound tribes, the Duwamish Tribe sought inclusion under the Treaty of Point Elliott.
In 1977, the tribe, along with the Snohomish and Steilacoom (Chillacum) tribes, filed a petition for federal recognition, which remains pending to this day. The tribe’s chances of recognition hinge largely on proving that they have "continually maintained an organized tribal structure" since the signing of the treaties in the 1850s.
In the mid-1980s, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) concluded that the Duwamish Tribe could not be recognized because they lacked a land base. In 1996, the BIA denied recognition, but the tribe persevered, gathering additional evidence of their active existence.
In January 2001, during the final days of the Clinton administration, the Duwamish Tribe briefly won federal recognition. However, this decision was voided in 2002 by the Bush administration, citing procedural errors.
Contemporary Life and the Duwamish Longhouse
Despite the challenges they face, the Duwamish Tribe remains a vibrant and resilient community. As of 2014, the tribe had approximately 569 enrolled members, all of whom can trace their ancestry back to the original inhabitants of the Seattle area.
In 1983, the Duwamish Tribe established Duwamish Tribal Services, a non-profit organization that provides social and cultural services to the tribal community. In 2004, Duwamish Tribal Services created Duwamish Management Corporation, a for-profit business aimed at generating revenue to support tribal programs.
A significant milestone in the tribe’s recent history was the opening of the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center in 2009. Located on purchased land near the ancient settlement of Ha-AH-Poos in West Seattle, the longhouse serves as a cultural center, a gathering place, and a symbol of the tribe’s enduring presence in their ancestral homeland.
Language and Cultural Preservation
The Duwamish Tribe is actively working to preserve its language and cultural traditions. The Duwamish language is a dialect of Lushootseed, a Coast Salish language spoken throughout the Puget Sound region. Many of the sounds in the Duwamish language have no equivalent in English, making it a unique and valuable part of the tribe’s cultural heritage.
The tribe is involved in language revitalization efforts, working to teach the language to younger generations and create resources for language learners. Cultural programs and events are also held at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center, providing opportunities for tribal members to connect with their heritage and share their traditions with the wider community.
The story of the Duwamish Tribe is a testament to the strength and resilience of indigenous peoples in the face of adversity. Despite the challenges they have faced, the tribe continues to thrive, preserving its cultural heritage and advocating for its rights. The Duwamish Tribe’s ongoing struggle for federal recognition is a reminder of the importance of honoring treaties and ensuring that all indigenous peoples are treated with dignity and respect.