Welcome to the pilot episode of "People of the Inside" - the Truth is the Truth.
Hosted by the Duwamish Tribe’s Cultural Preservation Officer Nancy Sackman, this episode introduces listeners to the enduring presence, history, and resilience of the Duwamish Tribe, the original inhabitants of the area we now call Seattle WA. This episode explores the legal struggle for Federal recognition, the tribe’s commitment to cultural continuation, and a sneak peak of the spiritual and community-building power of the annual Tribal Canoe Journey. Through personal narratives and professional insights, guests discuss what it means to be Duwamish in modern-day Seattle, focusing on the tribe's ongoing fight to honor treaty commitments and preserve their ancestral identity.
Introduction: Host Nancy Sackman introduces The People of the Inside podcast: sharing the tribe's history, hopes, challenges, and dreams. Learn more about Nancy’s work: Duwamish Tribe’s Cultural Preservation Department.
Legal Perspective:
- Chairwoman Cecile Hanson and her daughter, Cindy Williams share the Tribe's 50-year fight for federal recognition and the importance of asserting their sovereignty.
- K&L Gates Attorney Bart Freedman explains the history of treaty violations, starting with the Treaty of Point Elliott, and the systemic complexities of the federal recognition process.
Canoe Journey teaser:
- Listeners join the Duwamish Canoe Family out on the waters of Elliott Bay with Skipper Lee leading paddle practice on July 5th 2026.
- Guests Kristina Pearson, Michael Pearson, and Alyssa Johnson recount personal experiences with the modern-day Canoe Journey, describing it as a pathway to healing, ancestral connection, and community building.
Community Impact:
- Join the Duwamish Canoe family on 7/29 at 1pm at Don Armeni park (1222 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116) for the launch of the Duwamish Canoe on the 2026 Canoe Journey to Nisqually; see the canoe launch and celebrate the Duwamish Canoe family
- Join the Duwamish Canoe family at Nisqually on August 5-6th for Protocol at the Medicine Creek Potlatch, “Healing Through Our Waters By Honoring Our Ancestors”
- Learn about the first Paddle to Seattle in 1989 (MOHAI brochure), and how Tribal Canoe Journey was started.
- Visit the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center to learn more, volunteer and get involved with Seattle’s first people.
- The episode touches on the "Real Rent" initiative for Seattle residents to donate to the Duwamish Tribe.
Credits:
Creative Director and Host: Nancy Sackman, Vice Chair of the Duwamish Tribe; Cultural Preservation Officer | Duwamish Tribal Historic Preservation | Duwamish Tribe
Additional voiceovers: Vanessa Gloria
Recorded at the Duwamish Longhouse in July 2026.
Music: The Grandmother song was gifted to the Duwamish by Justin Finkbonner and sung by Blake Shelafoe
Artwork: Shayla Hufana
The Duwamish Tribal Services podcast graphic design and illustrative work is supported and funded by 4Culture.
People of the Inside is produced and edited by Elke Hautala and Cari Simson of Invisible Histories in Seattle, Washington.
"People of the Inside" introduces listeners to the enduring presence, history, and resilience of the Duwamish Tribe, the original inhabitants of the area we now call Seattle WA. Hosted by the Duwamish Tribe’s Cultural Preservation Officer Nancy Sackman, the podcast shares personal narratives and professional insights into what it means to be Duwamish in modern-day Seattle. Learn more at www.duwamishtribe.org
People of the Inside is produced by Invisible Histories LLC in Seattle, Washington.
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