Remembering Chief Seattle
For many decades, building a longhouse, the traditional place of gathering, has been a cherished goal of the >khw’Duw’Absh. A longhouse was needed to honor and remember Chief Seattle and our ancestors, and to nurture the survival of our culture.
In 2002, the Dkhw’Duw’Absh hosted a Canoe Paddle gathering along the Duwamish River at Terminal 107 Park, as part of the City of Seattle’s Sesquicentennial celebrations. Near the park are two Dkhw’Duw’Absh ancestral villages, Tohl-Ahl'-Too (“Herring House”) and Ha-Ah'-Poos (“Where There Are Horse Clams”). Entitled "The Spirit Returns", canoes and crews from 10 First Nations, and guests from 15 First Nations, came in support of the Dkhw’Duw’Absh. The gathering demonstrated the Dkhw’Duw’Absh determination to build our Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center near these two ancient village sites.
In February of 2004, the Dkhw’Duw’Absh completed the purchase of a three-quarter acre parcel of land overlooking the Duwamish River valley, near Ha-Ah'-Poos and Tohl-Ahl'-Too. Donors from many First Nations and many communities made this purchase possible. This parcel is the future site of the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center.
The purchase of this land is a historic event. It is the first time in 149 years that the Dkhw’Duw’Absh as a community have legally owned land within the City of Seattle limits. It repudiates the spirit of the 1865 Law Number 5 and heralds the new spirit of cooperation and respect. Contributions are needed to help build the Longhouse.
Once completed, the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center will be a gathering place for our Dkhw’Duw’Absh community and a focal point for our revitalized culture. The Duwamish Longhouse will contribute to healing and reconciliation. In Cecile Hansen’s words, “The circle that was broken has been reconnected.”
From article entitled “Dkhw’Duw’Absh, "People of the Inside"