Raising Our Hands to the Duwamish!

Feb 4, 2025 | Beacon, Justice, News, Racial

For the January 26 service, ESUC’s Indigenous Connections (IC) Team invited the Duwamish Solidarity Group (DSG) to come share their experience working with the Duwamish Tribe in Seattle. The DSG is a group of non-indigenous volunteers who work in various ways to support Duwamish Tribal Services providing assistance to tribal members, cultural programming, maintenance of the Duwamish Longhouse, and restoration of tribal lands and the Duwamish River.

The service led by Rev. María Cristina focused on being “In Solidarity with the Duwamish .”  Rev. María Cristina spoke eloquently about establishing right relations with indigenous people and other marginalized groups. She called on the congregation to live out its commitment to the church’s Land Acknowledgement as a spiritual guide to action:

Representing DSG, Kate Carrington explained the work and approach of the DSG including the impact of “Real Rent” as a concrete way of supporting the Duwamish tribe.  By collaborating with and listening closely to tribal members, DSG is in a position to support priorities established by the tribe.

Following the service, a potluck lunch brought the three DSG Outreach members present and interested congregants together to share food and ideas. As we individually and as a congregation deepen our understanding of indigenous histories and the impact of US policies on native and other marginalized communities, may we indeed live out our commitment to what we profess in our Land Acknowledgement.

All “Share-the-Plate” donations collected at the morning service were dedicated to Duwamish Tribal Services.  For those interested in finding out more about “Real Rent“, please visit https://www.realrentduwamish.org.  For ideas about other ways to engage with the Duwamish and other tribal communities, talk with East Shore’s Indigenous Connections team members. We would lot to have you join our team!

In closing thanks to all who brought food to share or expressed interest in learning more about DSG and cultivating our connections with the Duwamish!