Ballard Food Bank Stands with the Duwamish

At Ballard Food Bank, we honor the responsibility that comes with building and growing on this land. We give thanks to the Duwamish and Coast Salish people, the original caretakers of Shilshole and Seattle. Given our nonprofit status, the staff and Board of Directors have chosen to dedicate the money we save from property taxes to the Duwamish. We are also committed to standing with our indigenous neighbors in their fight for the federal recognition they’ve been denied for decades.

A thank you card that Ballard Food Bank received from the Duwamish.

Seattle and the King County region is all indigenous land and many members of community still live in the same area as their ancestors and have established a nonprofit so that they can support their community with essential services. Federal tribal recognition provides several essential social programs to its community members and despite local recognition of the tribe, the federal government has denied official recognition of the Duwamish.

Right now, the Duwamish are asking members of our community to stand with them as they seek tribal sovereignty. We encourage our friends and neighbors to support the Duwamish by signing their petition, which you can find here. If you’re interested in other ways to support the tribe’s efforts, please visit their website by clicking here.

“We recognize the Duwamish people as the original caretakers of the land on which our Hub for Hope was built,” explains Jen Muzia, Ballard Food Bank’s Executive Director. “We are grateful for the opportunity to as we continue to support the Duwamish tribe’s push for the federal recognition they deserve.”

ED, Jen Muzia with the card.