[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF THE DUWAMISH TRIBAL RECOGNITION ACT

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                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 21, 2011

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Duwamish 
Tribal Recognition Act, legislation to grant federal recognition to the 
Duwamish Tribe of the Seattle, Washington area.
  The Duwamish people were the first indigenous people of the Greater 
Seattle area and lived in the area for more than a thousand years 
before the first European-Americans arrived in 1851. In 1855, the 
Duwamish Tribe, represented by Chief Si'ahl (Seattle), signed the 
Treaty of Point Elliott, which guaranteed fishing rights and federal 
recognition to all Tribes represented by the Native signers. However, 
despite ratification by the U.S. Congress in 1859, the promises made by 
the United States in the treaty were never fulfilled.
  Since then, it has been a struggle spanning more than 150 years for 
the Duwamish people to attain the recognition that was promised to them 
in the Treaty of Point Elliott. Most recently, in the waning hours of 
the Clinton Administration, the Tribe was granted federal recognition 
by the Department of Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs. However, the 
Bush Administration reversed this decision, questioning the 
administrative procedures utilized by the Clinton Administration.
  Mr. Speaker, for far too long the Duwamish people have waited for 
federal recognition, which will provide those enrolled in the Tribe 
access to federal finances for tribal government, as well as cultural, 
education, health care, and housing programs. Now is the time to 
recognize the Duwamish people. I encourage my colleagues to support 
this legislation.

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