Cecile Hansen, chairwoman of the Duwamish Tribe of Washington for 29 years, was honored for her efforts to gain federal recognition.

Hansen received one of five "Spirit of America Awards" last Thursday. The award recognized her commitment to correcting what she calls "a great injustice."

In the final days of the Clinton administration, Bureau of Indian Affairs officials recognized the tribe. But the new Bush administration held back the decision and eventually rescinded it. The tribe is now seeking recognition through an act of Congress.

Get the Story:
Duwamish chairwoman honored for championing her tribe's cause (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 10/25)

Relevant Links:
Duwamish Tribe - http://www.duwamishtribe.org

Related Stories:
Duwamish Tribe raising funds for cultural center (08/30)
Pioneer descendant aids Duwamish recognition (08/09)
Duwamish Tribe upset over exclusion from accord (07/26)
Washington tribes renew accord with Seattle (07/21)
Duwamish Tribe buys first piece of land in 150 years (03/29)
Bill would extend recognition to Duwamish (01/30)
Bills seek recognition of Wash. tribes (01/10)
Bill to recognize Duwamish Tribe (09/20)
Wash. tribe hosts canoe paddle (08/29)
Denied tribes seek Congressional help (07/10)
Duwamish lawsuit could be next (5/14)
Duwamish Tribe considers options (5/13)
Duwamish recognition supported (3/14)
Duwamish Tribe prepared to sue (3/5)
Inside the BIA, plenty of drama (3/4)
Ashcroft urged to charge BIA officials (3/1)
Blackwell cites fear at BIA (3/1)
A year of backsteps under Bush (1/22)
Former BIA official says work altered (1/11)
Duwamish recognized, but not as tribe (11/14)
McCaleb reverses recognition decisions (9/28)
McCaleb to listen 'closely' to recognition experts (8/9)
McCaleb decision sure to draw scrutiny (7/31)
BIA pushed to provide 'answers' on tribes (7/26)
McCaleb endorses BIA on recognition (6/14)
Gover's 'activist' legacy escapes McCaleb (6/13)
Duwamish Tribe receives recognition (1/22)