Posted on Aug 5, 2022
Seattle's Duwamish Tribe 'on the outside looking in' as city names new Indigenous Advisory...
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The city of Seattle is named for Duwamish leader Chief Seattle, yet his own descendants say they’ve been excluded from an effort to involve more Indigenous people in city issues.
Duwamish Tribal Councilmember Ken Workman was the tribe's chosen delegate to be considered for a spot on the city's new Indigenous Advisory Council. Workman actually applied for three positions, including as the Duwamish delegate, as a representative of an urban Indian organization and as an Indigenous elder.
He was rejected for each position.
The Seattle City Council approved the nine members of the inaugural IAC on Tuesday; none is a member of the Duwamish Tribe, which calls Seattle home.
The tribe's apparent exclusion has left Workman torn about the new group.
"I'm saddened that we're not included," he said, "and I'm joyful, that there is such a thing as this new committee, this new Indigenous Advisory Council."
Duwamish Tribal Councilmember Ken Workman was the tribe's chosen delegate to be considered for a spot on the city's new Indigenous Advisory Council. Workman actually applied for three positions, including as the Duwamish delegate, as a representative of an urban Indian organization and as an Indigenous elder.
He was rejected for each position.
The Seattle City Council approved the nine members of the inaugural IAC on Tuesday; none is a member of the Duwamish Tribe, which calls Seattle home.
The tribe's apparent exclusion has left Workman torn about the new group.
"I'm saddened that we're not included," he said, "and I'm joyful, that there is such a thing as this new committee, this new Indigenous Advisory Council."
Seattle's Duwamish Tribe 'on the outside looking in' as city names new Indigenous Advisory...
Posted from kuow.orgPosted in these groups: 
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Native Americans
Seattle Native Americans
Posted 2 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."This interview has been edited for clarity.
Angela King: What do you think of the decision to create this council? Is it a significant move in your eyes?
Ken Workman: I think it is. I think that the representation of the Native people on official city roles has been underserved for a very long time. And so, it's an honor, really, to see the City Council with this representation. Unfortunately, for me, the Duwamish people aren't included in that.
Well, tell us about that. Because as we understand it, you fit the criteria for a couple of spots among the nine that were available. But you were not selected, even though you were selected as the Duwamish delegate, specifically. Why? What was the explanation behind that?
There was no explanation. I submitted my application for these many positions, only to receive a phone call that says, "Well, Mr. Workman, unfortunately, you have not been selected for this inaugural Indigenous Advisory Council." And then, there was some explanation about how I could apply in a year's time, because some of these positions will be open again.
Do you plan to apply for a role on this council in the future?
I would like to say yes. Right now, my feelings are hurt a little bit. But I'm older, so I'll be able to to handle it.
So, at this point, the new Indigenous Advisory Council to the City of Seattle will not include a representative of the Duwamish Tribe.
That's correct.
People that have this ancestry are proud people, just as I am proud, but we are Duwamish Tribe. Our allegiance is toward the Duwamish Tribe. Now, we're not saying that because you're a member of another tribe, and you have Duwamish ancestry, you're any less Duwamish. No, we're not saying that at all."
..."This interview has been edited for clarity.
Angela King: What do you think of the decision to create this council? Is it a significant move in your eyes?
Ken Workman: I think it is. I think that the representation of the Native people on official city roles has been underserved for a very long time. And so, it's an honor, really, to see the City Council with this representation. Unfortunately, for me, the Duwamish people aren't included in that.
Well, tell us about that. Because as we understand it, you fit the criteria for a couple of spots among the nine that were available. But you were not selected, even though you were selected as the Duwamish delegate, specifically. Why? What was the explanation behind that?
There was no explanation. I submitted my application for these many positions, only to receive a phone call that says, "Well, Mr. Workman, unfortunately, you have not been selected for this inaugural Indigenous Advisory Council." And then, there was some explanation about how I could apply in a year's time, because some of these positions will be open again.
Do you plan to apply for a role on this council in the future?
I would like to say yes. Right now, my feelings are hurt a little bit. But I'm older, so I'll be able to to handle it.
So, at this point, the new Indigenous Advisory Council to the City of Seattle will not include a representative of the Duwamish Tribe.
That's correct.
People that have this ancestry are proud people, just as I am proud, but we are Duwamish Tribe. Our allegiance is toward the Duwamish Tribe. Now, we're not saying that because you're a member of another tribe, and you have Duwamish ancestry, you're any less Duwamish. No, we're not saying that at all."
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