Detailed Summary

Duwamish Tribal Recognition Act - Extends all federal laws and regulations to the Duwamish Tribe.

Makes the Tribe and its members eligible for all services and benefits provided by the federal government to federally recognized tribes without regard to the existence of a reservation for the Tribe or the location of the residence of any member on or near any Indian reservation. Defines the Tribe's service area for purposes of the delivery of federal services.

Requires the Tribe to submit to the Secretary of the Interior a membership roll of all individuals enrolled in the Tribe.

Requires the Tribe to conduct an election by secret ballot to adopt a constitution and bylaws for the Tribe. Requires the Tribe to elect a governing body in accordance with the procedures set forth in its constitution and bylaws.

Requires the Secretary to take Tribe service area or aboriginal lands into trust for the benefit of the Tribe if the Tribe transfers all right, title, and interest in and to the land to the Secretary within ten years. Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to identify those lands which shall be considered the aboriginal homelands of the Tribe.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 7/15/2009: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee Hearings Held.

Points in Favor

The rights promised to the Duwamish Tribe and other tribes of the Pacific Northwest in the Treaty of Point Elliot have yet to be realized, resulting in the lack of recognition of the Duwamish Tribe.

The Duwamish Tribe are 600 members strong, and have traced their lineage back to the members present at the signing of the Point Elliot Treaty in 1855.

Furthermore, they have shown the Federal Government that they have remained a sovereign political entity from the treaty to the present. This resulted in their recognition by the Clinton Administration, only to have it taken away by the Bush Administration quickly after the fact.

Points Against

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