November is Native American Heritage Month. The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. In Washington State, there are 29 federally recognized tribes and many others including the Duwamish, Wanapum and Chinook which have a long history in present-day Washington State.
More than 140,000 Native citizens live, work and contribute in our local communities and on tribal land. Art, history, culture and traditions of Native people’s are richly represented in museums, galleries, street names, and in the name of Seattle itself. Seattle is the only major city in the United States named after a Native chief. Chief Si’ahl was the leader of both the Suquamish and Duwamish people – it is the Duwamish lands that currently make up metropolitan Seattle, including the land in South Park upon where Food Lifeline’s Hunger Solution Center currently resides.
To learn more about Native American Heritage Month and specifically about Washington Tribes please check out these resources:
