Happening now: Duwamish Longhouse’s 5th-anniversary celebration

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It’s been five years since the Duwamish Tribe celebrated the opening of its longhouse at 4705 W. Marginal Way SW – and you still have three hours to join the anniversary celebration. An open house continues until 5 pm; we stopped by for the noontime reception:

Those on hand included Cecile Hansen, who has served as the tribe’s elected chair since 1975:

The story of the longhouse – the first one for the Duwamish people since their last one was burned down before the end of the 19th century – is told in this HistoryLink.org report. The story of the tribe can be explored both via its website and at the Longhouse/Cultural Center, which has regular hours as well as being open for special events like the one today.

RG January 25, 2014 (3:17 pm)

Happy 5th!!!!

(Third time’s a charm, right? I just know this foothold of your ancestral land will keep a hold).
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I’m upset that I couldn’t make this. I’ve always wanted to stop in and see the place. And, I would have loved to meet Ms. Hansen – modern day heroine!
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I wish you all the best for a great 2014 and look forward to the Duwamish getting the federal recognition that they are owed. It seems to me that the only reason they DON’T have it is because they originate from right here; too close to the town of Seattle and can’t plead their case methodically with a paper trail since they are/had been an oral culture.
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Anyway, friends, Happy 5th!!!

miws January 25, 2014 (6:00 pm)

Yes, Happy 5th to the Duwamish Longhouse!

RG, when you finally do make it to the Longhouse, and meet Chairperson Hansen, you will be in for a treat on both accounts.

The Longhouse is a beautiful structure, that seems to invoke a warm and peaceful aura, and Chairperson Hansen is an incredibly warm, welcoming, sharing, community minded person.

Mike

RG January 26, 2014 (3:09 pm)

Mike, I’ve never been inside of a longhouse and can’t wait to check it out. I just read the historylink article that was mentioned in the story and I’m speechless after reading this:
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“On January 19, 2001, that official recognition was finally granted under Bill Clinton’s administration, only to be reversed within hours of the new Bush administration assuming power.”
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I can’t imagine what that must have felt like…

miws January 26, 2014 (5:01 pm)

Yeah, what the Bush Admin did was pretty disgusting.

It’s really way past time that the Duwamish Peoples got the official recognition they deserve.

Mike

BlarJ January 27, 2014 (11:52 am)

Congratulations, Duwamish!
On Saturday, for some reason, I decided to wear my red Duwamish Recognition wrist band. Hadn’t worn it in a couple years. Had no idea it was the anniversary. Now I know why it came to mind!

Recognition now!!!

Leonette Carte January 29, 2014 (9:07 am)

The Dumanish Longhouse is a beautiful structure; you can sit in there and imagine what it must have been like for the Tribe many years ago in another Longhouse. Cecile is a very interesting warm person and has a great backstory.
Anyone else out there go to Duwamish Bend Grade School?