The Treaty of Port Elliot

Discussion | Summary

The Duwamish Tribe did not sign the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott, which denied them reservation lands but allowed them to retain traditional fishing and hunting rights. Despite facing adversity and urbanization, they established a community in West Seattle and built a longhouse in 2009. Efforts for federal recognition have been repeatedly challenged, with the BIA citing a lack of central government and documentation. Larger tribes, like the Tulalip, have also resisted their recognition efforts. The Duwamish continue to strive for recognition and deal with the repercussions of past treaty negotiations.

Treaty of Point Elliott: Duwamish did not sign, denied reservation lands.
Community Establishment: Built a community in West Seattle and a longhouse in 2009.
Federal Recognition Challenges: Repeatedly denied by the BIA.
Lack of Support: Larger tribes resist their recognition efforts.
Continued Efforts: Striving for recognition despite past treaty repercussions.

Discussion | Full Text |

Fall 2016

So far, the most interesting thing that I've read about the Duwamish Tribe is how they reacted to Governor Isaac Stevens' 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott as well as their continued push for federal recognition right up to the present moment. The Duwamish were able to retain and protect traditional fishing and hunting rights. However, they did not sign the Treaty of Point Elliott, and were therefore denied reservation lands. Now, the Treaty of Point Elliott was really a backhanded move by then-Washington Governor Stevens, who tricked and cajoled many of the Puget Sound-area tribes into signing the treaty after a 10-month whirlwind tour aimed at generating consensus among tribal groups in the region. Only 22 groups ultimately signed, getting guarantees of reservation lands, hunting and fishing rights, and a small bit of funding for schools and other purposes. Groups including the Duwamish who did not sign have had to stake new claims in the area by building their own communities, tribal centers, longhouses, etc. By the 1970's the Duwamish had established a community in West Seattle, even in the face of adversity and accelerated urbanization, and in 2009 they were able to construct a beautiful longhouse there. But their efforts at acquiring federal recognition were derailed when, in 1996, the BIA determined that the tribe did not meet all of the criteria for recognition - no central government, not a clear line between mainstream America and tribal members, and no documentation backing up historical, aboriginal claims, etc. were some of the reasons cited by the BIA. It sounds like a large number of area bands faced similar challenges as the Duwamish, and now some of descendents of the Duwamish are located on other reservations such as Port Madison where they have joined forces on occasion. Still, larger tribes like the Tulalip have resisted the efforts of the Duwamish and other area tribes to gain federal recognition status, so the story isn't finished yet. These are a people that continue to deal with the repercussions of treaty negotiations in the 19th century as well as persevere today.