Chief Si’ahl (Seattle) of the Duwamish and Suquamish Tribes was the first signer of the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855. The largest city in Washington state is named for him. Chief Si’ahl honored the treaty. The United States has not. The Duwamish Tribe no longer has federally recognized status.

Despite this, the Duwamish Tribe has for many decades been an important political and cultural influence in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, the Duwamish have contributed to the environmental health and welfare of the citizens of Seattle, Puget Sound and the Salish Sea with an emphasis on underserved, marginalized populations, to the benefit of all people.

In 2001, the Bureau of Indian Affairs under the Clinton Administration found evidence sufficient to recognize the Duwamish Tribe, only to have it revoked by the Bush Administration for ministerial reasons. With your support and advocacy, federal recognition of the Duwamish Tribe can be reinstated legislatively, administratively, or judicially in 2021, ending over 165 years of injustice.

You can promote justice and help restore the Treaty rights for the Duwamish Tribe by signing this petition. The Duwamish deserve the dignity of being recognized and access to the Treaty rights that go with that recognition.

Please sign today.