YouTube: Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen meets U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell is used to meeting tribal leaders but was probably surprised by an impromptu one outside her house in Seattle, Washington, over the weekend.

Chairwoman Cecile Hansen of the Duwamish Tribe tracked Jewell down on Saturday and presented her with a letter of support of federal recognition. The encounter, which was civil and lasted about 4 and a half minutes, was recorded and posted by The West Seattle blog.

"The tribes’ battle for federal recognition has been going on far too long," a letter signed by Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites and Rising Tide Seattle posted by the blog read. "We have heard how dehumanizing this process has been for Duwamish tribal members and we are here in full support of preventing further harm and trauma to the Duwamish people."

The Bureau of Indian Affairs. issued a final determination against federal recognition for the tribe in July. The agency's Office of Federal Acknowledgment said the tribe did not provide evidence of its existence prior to 1925.

The tribe has vowed to continue fighting for recognition.

Get the Story:
Duwamish Tribe chair takes recognition fight to Interior Secretary in West Seattle: Report #1 (West Seattle Blog 8/29)
Duwamish Tribe chair face-to-face with U.S. Interior Secretary in West Seattle, report #2 (West Seattle Blog 8/31)

Federal Register Notice:
Final Decision on Remand Against Federal Acknowledgment of the Duwamish Tribal Organization (July 30, 2015)

Relevant Documents:
BIA Press Release | Letter to Chairwoman Hansen | Final Determination

Related Stories:
Duwamish Tribe won't give up long quest for recognition recognition (07/07)
Leader of Duwamish Tribe calls denial of recognition 'devastating' (7/3)
Duwamish Tribe rejected for federal recognition for a third time (7/2)
Washington tribes could get another shot at federal recognition (6/2)
KUOW: Duwamish Tribe still looking for federal recognition (05/22)
Law Article: Judge resurrects Duwamish Tribe's recognition bid (04/11)
Ex-BIA official backs Duwamish Tribe's federal recognition (03/29)
ICT interview with Cecile Hansen, leader of Duwamish Tribe (03/28)
Chair of Duwamish Tribe in 'state of shock' after court decision (03/26)
Judge orders BIA to reconsider Duwamish Tribe recognition (03/25)
Duwamish Tribe still pushing for federal status after 156 years (10/05)