"We Are Still Here" - Film Screening and Reception to Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day

"We Are Still Here” sheds light on the Duwamish Tribe’s enduring fight for federal recognition. Despite being the first people of Seattle and signatories of the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott, the Duwamish have spent decades battling for the rights promised to them. Directed by Tommie Lorene with support from the University of Arizona Native Pathways Haury Graduate Research Grant, this short documentary captures the resilience of a tribe that refuses to be erased, showcasing their cultural strength and ongoing activism.

6:00 p.m. – Film Screening: Gallagher Theater, 2nd floor SUMC

6:30 p.m. – Reception: Kachina Lounge, 3rd floor SUMC

q́ʷaťələmu ɫukʷalabəɫ (Nancy Jo Bob) is an enrolled member of Lummi Nation, a descendant of the House of sťǝtiɫǝm, a Jamestown S’kallam ancestral chief, and a descendant from the House of ʔalabǝɫ, a Duwamish ancestral Chief named Doctor James. She is the director of the Duwamish language program and the manager of the Nisqually Language Resource Center and Library at the Nisqually Indian Tribe. She is the Executive Director of House of Living Languages.

q́ʷaťələmu has a personal focus on research and revitalization of the Coast Salish Languages and implementing language education protocols. She has assisted many Western Washington tribes to create and design their tribal language programs, teacher certification programs, media/technology development programs, graphic art and design for language materials and curriculum, Nisqually book and animation publishing and provided language orthography development.