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June 22, 2026
A Duwamish Tribe Seattle documentary comes to Town Hall Seattle on Monday June 22nd from 6:30 to 8:30pm. UNRECOGNIZED is a half-hour film about the Duwamish Tribe's recent and ongoing efforts to gain federal recognition.
About the Film
On May 11, 2022, the Duwamish Tribe filed a renewed petition for federal recognition in Seattle. Under revised terms, the tribe gained the opportunity to submit new evidence, a development that could reshape its long-standing case and the tribal landscape in Puget Sound.
UNRECOGNIZED is about power, politics, and culture. The film draws on historical records, lived experience, and behind-the-scenes decisions about public art. It shows how the struggle for recognition is both political and cultural. Despite organized opposition from federally recognized tribes and ongoing federal barriers, UNRECOGNIZED shows how the Duwamish Tribe refuses to be erased.
The film is an independent production of Seattle Films: Hidden Histories LLC.
Who Are The Duwamish?
The Duwamish are the original people of Seattle. Their ancestral territory covers the greater Seattle area and the Duwamish River watershed. Despite their deep and documented connection to this land, the Duwamish Tribe has not received federal recognition - a status that would grant access to federal resources, services, and legal protections available to recognized tribes. Their fight for recognition is ongoing.