Federal Recognition
Woman reconstructs ties to Duwamish Tribe


A Washington woman who grew up hearing about an Indian great-grandmother has found out that the stories are true.

Kathie Zetterberg was told that her great-grandmother was the daughter of a Duwamish chief and one of Seattle's most prominent non-Indian settlers. So she went through tribal, state and other records to learn more about the identity of her ancestors.

Official information was scant but she found an obituary that stated Julia, her great-grandmother, was the daughter of settler Henry Yesler. Another obituary indicated that Julia's mother was the daughter of Duwamish Chief Curly.

Zetterberg then found her father on a Duwamish tribal roll from 1927. She is now enrolled with the tribe, which is trying to gain federal recognition.

Get the Story:
Woman finds her tribal heritage (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 8/18)

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

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