ADDRESS OF THE DUWAMISH TRIBE:
EMAIL IS STILL: dts@eskimo.com; WEBSITE IS: http://www.duwamishtribe.org.
NEW ADDRESS: Duwamish Tribe, 4717 W. Marginal Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106.
Phone Numbers are still: Phone - 206/431-1582; FAX - 206/431-1962.

ANNUAL DUES are due yearly, dues are $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for members under 18 years of age. The Tribe also has food vouchers available for Safeway for $25.OO - $50.OO. Call Cindy in the office if you need assistance and clarification of the enrollment/dues of children. Cindy is a wonderful woman who is always willing to help one understand!!

Please contact the office with any family changes: change of address, marital status, phone numbers, etc. 206-431-1582.

I also want to tell you that once again the Duwamish website has been updated and will be maintained better. I think that you will find the new website a very good website so I hope that you will check the new one out!! Let them know what you think as I am sure they would like to hear from you especially if you are letting them know how much you appreciate their work on keeping things updated for you.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT I UPDATE THIS AND TRADITIONAL GOINGS ON AS THE INFORMATION COMES IN AND I DO NOT ALWAYS UPDATE THE FRONT PAGE WHEN I ADD TO THESE PAGES - SO CHECK THEM REGULARLY AND SEE WHATS HAPPENING!

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GOOD NEWS!

The Duwamish Tribal Services (DTS) received a $120,890 grant award from ANA (Administration for Native Americans) to fund a Duwamish Exhibit and Gallery at MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry)which began October 1, 2005 and extends thru September 2006. This project will increase the tribe's visibility and economic self-suffiency by the availability of discretionary funds for programming and operations.

This exhibit will cover the history, culture, and present status of the Duwamish Tribe and support at least four local artists each year specializing in Salish traditions (one artist to be promoted by DTS and featured each quarter). Also, at least 15 other artists will have their work available for sale in the MOHAI Gallery at any given time.

The gallery will merchandise ceramic dinnerware and art that emphasizes Salish designs and will be produced by DTS at a undetermined production facility. This production facility will be led by Doe Stahr who is one of the premiere ceramic artists specialing in Pacific NW designs with the objective of turning day-to-day operations to tribal members after the project year concludes.

The dinnerware will also be featured in a monthly dinner theater fundraiser at MOHAI. The theater presentation will employ a concept developed by Doe Stahr that was succesful in Alaska.

The dinnerware will be incorporated into an interactive stage presentation that tells the story of the Duwamish People. Noted actor/storyteller, Gene Tagaban, will be featured in the one-person show. The ANA grant does not fund the theater element of the MOHAI partnership but only recently DTS was awarded $3250 from the Potlatch Fund to help defray five months of monthly fees for Mr. Tagaban. Productions costs will then be met out of cash flow.

As an aside, it should be noted that food costs for the dinner theater will also be covered out of cash flow from the inception and will be catered by a Seattle Native American catering business, Nu-Wa-Domie, with dinner theater menus being solely based on NW Native American cuisine.

The dinner theater presentations will serve the goal of visibility especially well because they focus attention on the Duwamish story through many modes: oratory, art, cuisine, music and dance. Guests will have a moving and memorable experience whereby the teachings will be shared with friends, relatives and co-workers.

MOHAI's active partnership will be an important contributor to the success of this project. MOHAI is the largest private, non-profit heritage organization in the Pacific Northwest, with a collection of over 100,000 rare artifacts, two million vintage photographs, and extensive archive and library, and permanent and rotating exhibits related to the history of the Puget Sound region. MOHAI is accredited by the American Association of Museums.

The partnership between the Duwamish Tribe and MOHAI represents a classic win-win partnership between nonprofit organizations whereby MOHAI and the Tribe address common ground in their missions to tell the Duwamish Story and increase visibility. This is important to further the tribe's attempts to gain federal recognition (* PERSONAL NOTE BY PATRICIA - actually it is Re-recognition since we lost our Federal Recognition in the 1960's) by authoritatively setting the historical record straight in the public eye. The publicity associated with the performances will also facilitate the ongoing capital compaign to build the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center. The end result being that these ventures of the exhibit, gallery and dinner theater will be housed in the tribe's own facility, the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center, afer it is built.

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?

We need tribal members to help to jump start the collection and review process for the exhibit. Tribal members play an important role in this procurement process because as a landless tribe much of our history is contained in your family trees, photographs, art and stories.

There is also a great need to help Doe Stahr and Gene Tagaban learn about the art and stories that are distinctly Duwamish. This may involve meeting with selected Elders and Duwamish artists.

All tribal members who are willing to participate and wish to share with Gene and Doe are encouraged to contact Cindy at the Tribal office (206)431-1582 or Email: dts@eskimo.com) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

It is planned that all Duwamish families will be represented in this project. Also, anyone interested in the Production Assistant positions producing the ceramic art and dinnerware is encouraged to apply. The job description is below this newsletter.

I'd like to end by saying thank you ahead of time for your serious consideration and heartfelt participation of this new project. This project will not work without the input of our membership. Cindy Williams, Project Director, (206) 431-1582 or Email: dts@eskimo.com

**Personal Note by Patricia, I have been to the project site and worked for a couple hours with Doe Stahr and I cannot wait to be more involved with the ceramic project!! I did 3 dinnerplates while I was there and it was very exciting and I can't wait to go back and do more!! Doe and her present staff ( Lori and Annie) are wonderful women to work with and easy to learn from because of their patience and encouragement to have Duwamish tribal members involved!! This is a really great opportunity and is open to all just about all ages! It would be a shame to be left out of this project as you would benefit so very much from it despite any negative feelings,please put them aside if you have them and focus on the future of our Tribe and making our Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center a closer vision. Not to mention you can learn alot about our people and ways. Please, get involved and be a part of this with your family!! This is a great opportunity because Tribal Members are priority and this can very well turn into a money making project for the Duwmish Tribe and put some of our members to work!! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to talk to Cindy or you can also contact me directly too at: oldalaskanwoman@msn.com.

PS: February is a very critical month and members are needed! It is something that anyone can learn to do and it's very easy to learn and very rewarding!!
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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Job Title: Production Assistant

Employer: Duwamish Tribal Services

Location: Ceramic Production Facility (site undetermined)

Date: 10-1-2005 until filled

Job Type: Full Time

JOB Description:

Description: The Duwamish Tribal Services is currently seeking applicants for (2) positions for Production Assistant for the production of ceramic art and dinnerware. Assistants will work directly under the supervision of the art director. The position is initially for the first two months during the start-up period. The opportunity for continued employment will be dependent upon successful marketing.

Pay rates starts at $15.00/hour based on 320 hours worked with fringe benefits. Interested applicants should contact Cindy Williams, Project Director, at (206) 431- 1582 for an application.

Requirements: Native preference - High School Diploma/GED - Basic computer skill a plus/not required - Experience not necessary will train.

Cindy has just sent out this month a newsletter talking about the great news of the grant with MOHAI and what is happening. They are also looking for people who have Duwamish stories that were passed down to them and also for people to talk to the Elders. If you did not get the newsletter - Contact Cindy at phone number above or Email: dts@eskimo.com and give her your mailing and email information so that she can be sure you are informed of all the fantastic things that are happening.

Dear Friends,

At the request of the Honorable Cecile Hansen, Duwamish Tribal Chair and President of Duwamish Tribal Services, I am writing to you about a matter of serious concern to the First People of Seattle, the Duwamish Tribe.

A new bill, HB 1495, just passed the House of Representatives last week and has now gone to the Senate for consideration and possible approval. While its sponsors may have had good intentions, HB 1495 is a formula for disaster for landless Native American tribes in Washington State. (Below are the Bill Summary and the entire text of HB 1495 as passed by the House of Representatives)

In its present form, HB 1495 should not become law in Washington State. Here’s why.

As with most bad laws, “the Devil is in the details”. Sponsored by John McCoy, 38th District Democrat and an enrolled member of the Tulalip Tribes, HB 1495 discriminates against Native American tribes lacking a Reservation. Please don't let the Legislature write the Duwamish Tribe out of Washington State’s History books!

HB 1495 mandates that Washington State schools teach the history of tribes having a Reservation within that school's district. For federally recognized tribes lacking a reservation - and for tribes lacking federal recognition - no education about their history and cultural heritage is required in our public schools.

For Washington State’s landless tribes, this tremendous defect in the Bill is a catastrophe! It adds insult to the injury of the federal failure to recognize all tribes who signed the 1855 treaties and the federal failure to establish reservations for all tribes who signed those treaties. Essentially, HB 1495 writes the landless First Peoples right out of the History books!

Sadly, some federally recognized tribes possessing casino riches have vigorously opposed federal recognition for the Duwamish Tribe and other tribes currently denied federal recognition. Ironically, the Duwamish Tribe, whose Chief Seattle was the first signer of the Point Elliott Treaty, has been denied federal recognition and remains landless even after 150 years, while some of the casino tribes did not even sign the 1855 Treaties but received reservations nonetheless. Public schools need to educate students about all Native American tribes in Washington State, not just those having a reservation.

Please contact your State Senator immediately. If HB 1495 passes the State Senate and becomes law, it will do immeasurable damage to Washington's landless tribes. Urge your State Senator to oppose HB 1495, with its discrimination against Washington State’s landless First Peoples. To find your State Senator, use the Internet by going to: http://www.leg.wa.gov/District Finder/Default.aspx

  Thank you, in advance, for your efforts to support justice and federal recognition for the First People of Seattle, the Duwamish Tribe.

Sincerely yours, - Tom Speer - Treasurer, Board of Directors - Duwamish Tribal Services -Email: trspeer@yahoo.com

HB 1495 Brief Description: Requiring that Washington's tribal history be taught in the common schools. Sponsors: Representatives McCoy, Roach, Simpson, P. Sullivan, McDermott, Santos, Appleton, Darneille, Williams, Hunt, Haigh, Chase, Sells, Conway, Kenney, Kagi, Moeller, Ormsby and Blake.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the high school course in Washington state history necessary for graduation to include information about the culture, history, and government of Washington Indian tribes.

Directs school districts to collaborate with one or more Indian tribes to develop and implement a tribal history and culture curriculum for each grade level in which the district offers instruction on Washington State and United States history.

Requires a teacher to have completed a tribe's teacher certification program or be otherwise approved by a tribe in order to teach the history and culture curriculum of the tribe.

Staff: Sydney Forrester (786-7120). Background: Washington has a rich Native American heritage that dates back thousands of years. There currently are 29 federally-recognized Indian tribes whose reservations are located in Washington. The Governor's Office of Indian Affairs reports an additional seven tribes in Washington who are non-federally recognized.

Washington's high school graduation requirements include a minimum of one-half credit of course work in Washington state history and government. Courses designed to meet this requirement are encouraged to include information on the culture, history, and government of the American Indians who were the first inhabitants of Washington.

Summary of Bill:

Each school district must incorporate the history and culture of one or more federally-recognized Indian tribes into its curriculum for each grade level in which Washington State and United States history is taught. A school district with all or a portion of a tribal reservation within its boundaries, must teach the history and culture of the tribe or tribes. A school district with no portion of a tribal reservation within its boundaries, must teach the history and culture of the federally-recognized Indian tribe or tribes whose traditional lands and territories lie within a one hundred-mile radius of the district boundaries. The Superintendent of Public Instruction must assist school districts in determining the location of tribal reservations and traditional lands and territories.

The history and culture curricula must be approved by the district and the tribe, and school districts must collaborate with the tribe to develop and implement the required curricula. A teacher, in order to teach a tribe's curriculum, must have completed the tribe's certification program, or be otherwise approved by the tribe.

Appropriation: None. - Fiscal Note: Available. Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Sponsors: Representatives McCoy, Roach, Simpson, P. Sullivan, McDermott, Santos, Appleton, Darneille, Williams, Hunt, Haigh, Chase, Sells, Conway, Kenney, Kagi, Moeller, Ormsby, Blake

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1495

_____________________________________________ State of Washington 59th Legislature 2005 Regular Session

By House Committee on Education (originally sponsored by Representatives McCoy, Roach, Simpson, P. Sullivan, McDermott, Santos, Appleton, Darneille, Williams, Hunt, Haigh, Chase, Sells, Conway, Kenney, Kagi, Moeller, Ormsby and Blake) READ FIRST TIME 03/07/05.

AN ACT Relating to teaching Washington's tribal history, culture, and government in the common schools; amending RCW 28A.230.090; adding a new section to chapter 28A.345 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.320 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.

Section 1: It is the intent of the legislature to promote the full success of the centennial accord, which was signed by state and tribal government leaders in 1989. As those leaders declared in the subsequent millennial accord in 1999, this will require "educating the citizens of our state, particularly the youth who are our future leaders, about tribal history, culture, treaty rights, contemporary tribal and state government institutions and relations and the contribution of Indian nations to the state of Washington." The legislature recognizes that this goal has yet to be achieved in most of our state's schools and districts. As a result, Indian students may not find the school curriculum, especially Washington state history curriculum, relevant to their lives or experiences. In addition, many students may remain uninformed about the experiences, contributions, and perspectives of their tribal neighbors, fellow citizens, and classmates. The legislature further finds that the lack of accurate and complete curricula may contribute to the persistent achievement gap between Indian and other students. The legislature finds there is a need to establish collaborative government-to-government relationships between elected school boards and tribal councils to create local and/or regional curricula about tribal history and culture, and to promote dialogue and cultural exchanges that can help tribal leaders and school leaders implement strategies to close the achievement gap.

NEW SECTION. - Sec. 2: A new section is added to chapter 28A.345 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Beginning in 2006, and at least once annually through 2010, the Washington state school directors' association is encouraged to schedule regional meetings and invite the respective tribal councils from the region for the purpose of establishing government-to-government relationships and dialogue between tribal councils and school district boards of directors. Such meetings should be for the primary purposes of:

(a) Facilitating the development and implementation of local and/or regional curricular materials to teach the information regarding the history, culture, and government of Washington's Indian tribes; and

(b) Promoting collaboration in strategies to close the achievement gap.

(2) By December 1, 2007, and every two years thereafter through 2011, the school directors' association shall report to the education committees of the legislature regarding the progress made in the development and implementation of tribal history, culture, and government curricular materials, including any obstacles encountered, and the potential for the curricula to contribute to efforts to close the achievement gap. The report also is encouraged to include feedback from students, teachers, and parents.

Sec. 3: RCW 28A.230.090 and 2004 c 19 s 103 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The state board of education shall establish high school graduation requirements or equivalencies for students.

(a) Any course in Washington state history and government used to fulfill high school graduation requirements ((is encouraged to)) shall include information on the culture, history, and government of the American Indian peoples w ho were the first inhabitants of the state.

(b) The certificate of academic achievement requirements under RCW 28A.655.061 or the certificate of individual achievement requirements under RCW 28A.155.045 are required for graduation from a public high school but are not the only requirements for graduation.

(c) Any decision on whether a student has met the state board's high school graduation requirements for a high school and beyond plan shall remain at the local level.

(2) In recognition of the statutory authority of the state board of education to establish and enforce minimum high school graduation requirements, the state board shall periodically reevaluate the graduation requirements and shall report such findings to the legislature in a timely manner as determined by the state board.

(3) Pursuant to any requirement for instruction in languages other than English established by the state board of education or a local school district, or both, for purposes of high school graduation, students who receive instruction in American sign language or one or more American Indian languages shall be considered to have satisfied the state or local school district graduation requirement for instruction in one or more languages other than English.

(4) If requested by the student and his or her family, a student who has completed high school courses before attending high school shall be given high school credit which shall be applied to fulfilling high school graduation requirements if:

(a) The course was taken with high school students, if the academic level of the course exceeds the requirements for seventh and eighth grade classes, and the student has successfully passed by completing the same course requirements and examinations as the high school students enrolled in the class; or

(b) The academic level of the course exceeds the requirements for seventh and eighth grade classes and the course would qualify for high school credit, because the course is similar or equivalent to a course offered at a high school in the district as determined by the school district board of directors.

(5) Students who have taken and successfully completed high school courses under the circumstances in subsection (4) of this section shall not be required to take an additional competency examination or perform any other additional assignment to receive credit.

(6) At the college or university level, five quarter or three semester hours equals one high school credit.

NEW SECTION. - Sec. 4: A new section is added to chapter 28A.320 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Each school district board of directors is encouraged to incorporate into its history and social studies curricula for each grade in which the district offers instruction on Washington state or United States history, information about the history, culture, and government of one or more federally recognized Indian tribes whose reservation lands or traditional lands and territories are within the state of Washington. A school district is encouraged to include in its curriculum information about the history, culture, and government of any tribe whose reservation lands, in whole or in part, are within the boundaries of the school district.

(2) The program of Indian education within the office of the superintendent of public instruction is encouraged to assist school districts in determining the location of tribal reservations and traditional lands and territories.

(3) A school district is encouraged to make a good faith effort to collaborate with all Indian tribes whose reservation in whole or in part lies within the boundaries of the school district in order to develop and use the curricular materials for teaching about the history, culture, and government of the tribe or tribes. Schools also are encouraged to facilitate opportunities for cultural exchanges with the tribes.