Agency Details:

Duwamish Tribal Services

The mission of the Duwamish Tribal Services is to promote the social, cultural and economic survival of the Duwamish Tribe.

Description:
The Duwamish Tribal Services is the nonprofit arm of the Duwamish Tribe. Presently, we have completed our Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center along the Duwamish River. This center will serve as an interpretive center for the story and history of the Duwamish people. The cultural center will also serve as a place for cultural exchange and hands-on learning about Salish art and language. There will be special events throughout the year and educational opportunities for the Seattle School District. The facility will also be available for space rental for non-native events. An exhibit area and gift shop will highlight the facility and will feature art from artists from all venues and backgrounds.

Lastly, the facility will serve as the home of the Duwamish people for potlatches, annual meetings, preservation of culture (ie. language, dance, drummaking, basketweaving and Salish art), educational outreach, social services, membership administrivia and federal recognition networking.

History:
Our tribe is governed by a 1925 constitution and it's bylaws. We have a six member tribal council, headed by our President, Cecile Hansen since 1975. In 1983 we established our non-profit business, Duwamish Tribal Services. The mission is to promote social, cultural, and economic survival for our tribal members and provide information of our history to the community. The Duwamish Tribe submitted it's appeal l of the 2001 wrongful overturning of the tribe's federal status in May of 2008. Jim McDermott has also submitted two federal recognition bills on our behalf. Also, in 2008, the Muckleshoot Tribe were denied their request to intervene on our appeal process. The tribe now needs to actively seek monies to hire an anthropologist to assist in our case. Please visit www.duwamishtribe.org to donate on behalf of this cause. Thank you!

Contact people:

Cindy Williams, Operations Manager, (phone), (email) Cecile Hansen, Board President, (phone), (email) James Rasmussen, Vice President, (phone), (email)

Main office number: (206) 431-1582
Office fax number: 206-431-1962

Address:

4717 W. Marginal Way South Seattle, WA 98106 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.duwamishtribe.org

Miscellaneous Information

Liability
	No
Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers?
	Yes
Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18?
	Yes

Last updated on January 22, 2009