Spotlight: Acknowledging Our Land and its People

“We would like to acknowledge that we are living on the land of the First People of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present, and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.” You’ve most likely heard these words spoken at assemblies, at sporting events, or maybe your outdoor trips. But what do they really mean? Have you ever thought about who these words are acknowledging? 

The people indigenous to the land we live on today are the dxʷdəwʔabš, or the Duwamish tribe. The tribe has lived in the PNW area for thousands of years, long before the first settlers arrived in North America. They are truly the ‘first people.’

The Duwamish Tribe has had a long and complicated history with settlers and the state of Washington. They have survived through broken treaties, lost land, and discrimination at the hands of both federal and state government. Unfortunately, several treaties that were not upheld by Washington still endure to this day, with tribe members unable to celebrate on and live off of their ancestral land. Additionally, the Duwamish Tribe is still not federally recognized as an official tribe, which prevents them from receiving retribution and benefits that are accessible to other tribes across the country. 

The Duwamish Tribe still lives in the greater Seattle area, with their official cultural center located in West Seattle. Despite suffering through multiple hardships throughout history, they thrive today and pass on rich culture and traditions through their museums, programs, and stories. So next time you hear that land acknowledgement, take a moment to really think about what it means: to the people, the land, and most importantly, yourself. Learn more about the Duwamish People and their history at duwamishtribe.org.