Cecile Hansen. Photo by Joe Mabel via Wikipedia
The Duwamish Tribe of Washington will continue to pursue federal recognition despite a negative decision from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The BIA's Office of Federal Acknowledgment determined that the tribe did not meet all seven mandatory criteria. The decision said the group did not provide evidence of its existence prior to 1925. "We find it disingenuous that the bureau has labeled the Duwamish Tribe as a new 1925 organization in their attempt to create the scenario that we are not the continuing tribe," a statement posted by The West Seattle Herald stated. "The Duwamish organized under a written constitution in 1925 to be more powerful in perusing its tribal rights." Notice of the decision will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow. The BIA considers it to be final but an attorney for the tribe hinted of an appeal, most likely through the federal court system. “I’m certain there’s going to be an appeal,” attorney Bart Freedman told The Seattle Times. “There’s something really painful as a community about being the first people here and not being recognized.” The tribe asked the BIA for recognition in 1977, a year before the formal establishment of the federal recognition process. Despite decades of work on the effort, three different administrations have denied status to a group of people whose ancestors include Chief Si’ahl, the namesake of Seattle. Chairwoman Cecile Hansen will hold a press conference this afternoon at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center to discuss the decision. Get the Story:
Chief Seattle's Tribe Denied Federal Recognition (Courthouse News Service 7/7)
Seattle’s Duwamish Tribe denied federal recognition (AP 7/6)
Duwamish Tribe denied federal recognition (The Seattle Times 7/4) Forthcoming Federal Register Notice:
Final Decision on Remand Against Federal Acknowledgment of the Duwamish Tribal Organization (To Be Published July 8, 2015) Relevant Documents:
BIA Press Release | Letter to Chairwoman Hansen | Final Determination
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