“Three Years, 2 Months and 9 Days” was written and recited by Ken Workman.
In this recording, Ken Workman, Duwamish Tribal Elder and fifth generation Great-Grandson of Chief Seattle, shares his poem “Three Years, 2 Months and 9 Days.” He wrote this poem to mark the 170th Anniversary of the Denny Party Landing on the shores of Alki Beach. In “Three Years, 2 Months and 9 Days,” he reflects on the welcome by Chief Seattle and the Duwamish people to the Denny Party on November 13th, 1851. Only three short years later on January 22nd, 1855, the signing of the Treaty of Point Elliott forced the Duwamish people to lose their homelands and move onto reservations. Despite everything, Ken Workman reminds us that the Duwamish people have survived and are still here.
Ken Workman has shared his Duwamish wisdom numerous times at East Shore over the years. Most recently, he welcomed members of the Lummi House of Tears Carvers who came as part of their Red Road to DC Totem Pole Journey.
Learn more about the Duwamish people and their history by visiting the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center: duwamishtribe.org
by Lynn Roesch, Indigenous Connections Team