Construction begins on Duwamish longhouse

By: Richard Walker

Recognition bill stalled in committee despite partnerships

SEATTLE - Construction was scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 17 on a Duwamish longhouse and cultural center, the first longhouse in the city since 1894.

''It's emotional for me,'' said Cecile Hansen, Duwamish chairman and great-great-grandniece of Si'ahl, the Duwamish/Suquamish leader for whom the city of Seattle is named.

''We've been working 30 years for [our] own place. In the last five years, people have gotten involved that said we need to have [our] own place, our people have suffered so much.''

Mary Lou Slaughter, a direct descendant of Si'ahl, added, ''I'm very excited. It will give a presence in the city which we haven't had, a place to show people what we do and teach our youngsters.''

The longhouse is being built on Duwamish-owned land along the Duwamish River. The site is just west of two ancestral village sites: Ha-ah'-poos, which means ''where there are horse clams,'' and Tohl-ahl-too, which means ''herring house.''

The two-story, carved cedar longhouse will consist of a greeting area featuring the names and representations of Duwamish leaders going back more than a century; a ceremonial space; a cultural resource center, where archaeological materials will be displayed; and a commercial kitchen specializing in preparing traditional Duwamish foods.

This article includes a piece regarding the struggles of the Duwamish for recognition. Click here: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096415784