"People of the Inside" introduces listeners to the enduring presence, history, and resilience of the Duwamish Tribe, the original inhabitants of the area we now call Seattle WA. Hosted by the Duwamish Tribe’s Cultural Preservation Officer Nancy Sackman, the podcast shares personal narratives and professional insights into what it means to be Duwamish in modern-day Seattle.
Learn more at www.duwamishtribe.org
People of the Inside is produced by Cari Simson and Elke Hautala of Invisible Histories in Seattle, Washington.
The Duwamish Tribal Services podcast graphic design and illustrative work is supported and funded by 4Culture.
People of The Inside podcast
Season 1: Episode 2
Canoe Journey: Healing Through Our Waters
In this episode, host Nancy Sackman leads a reflection on the 2026 Canoe Journey ("Paddle to Nisqually Medicine Creek Potlatch"). The first half of the episode explores pre-launch preparations, protocol, and personal histories, detailing how pulling on traditional waterways serves as a living expression of sovereignty, cultural revival, and intergenerational healing. The second half catches up with community members following the journey to discuss navigating rough waters, landing on Blake Island to honor Chief Seattle, partnering on protocol with Snohomish and Chinook relatives, and maintaining solidarity on the water despite historical and federal challenges.
No matter the political boundaries imposed upon us, our presence on the water confirms that the Duwamish people remain here, thriving and honoring our heritage. As Chairwoman Cecile Hanson always reminds us, "the truth is the truth."
Show Notes
Host: Nancy Sackman (Cultural Preservation Officer & Vice Chair, Duwamish Tribal Council).
Learn more about Nancy’s work: Duwamish Tribe’s Cultural Preservation Department.
Guests: Alyssa Johnson (Duwamish Tribal Member & Puller), Ken Workman (Duwamish Tribal Council), Yvonne Griffin (Duwamish Tribal Council Member), Blake Shelafoe (Kanim & Tuttle Family/Seattle Indian Health Board), Lee (Interim Skipper for the Duwamish Canoe, KikiSoBlue), Mike and Daniel Cristo (Snohomish Tribe), Kristina Pearson (Executive Director, Duwamish Tribal Services), and Michael (Kristina’s husband and Canoe Journey Puller).
Community Impact:
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Join the Duwamish Canoe family on 7/29 at 1pm at Don Armeni park (1222 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116) for the launch of the Duwamish Canoe on the 2026 Canoe Journey to Nisqually; see the canoe launch and celebrate the Duwamish Canoe family
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Learn about the Duwamish Canoe family and Tribal Canoe Journey, at the Medicine Creek Potlatch, “Healing Through Our Waters By Honoring Our Ancestors”
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Learn about the first Paddle to Seattle in 1989 (MOHAI brochure), and how Tribal Canoe Journey was started.
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Visit the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center to learn more, volunteer and get involved with Seattle’s first people.
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Learn about the the "Real Rent" initiative for Seattle residents to donate to the Duwamish Tribe.
Credits:
Creative Director and Host: Nancy Sackman, Vice Chair of the Duwamish Tribe; Cultural Preservation Officer | Duwamish Tribal Historic Preservation | Duwamish Tribe
Additional voiceovers: Vanessa Gloria
Recorded at the Duwamish Longhouse in July and August 2026.
Music: The Grandmother song was gifted to the Duwamish by Justin Finkbonner and sung by Blake Shelafoe
Resilience Song -- Duwamish Tribe
Nancy's Canoe Journey song in Lushootseed
Bird sound effects by Out of Sync: Freesound.org
Artwork: Shayla Hufana
The Duwamish Tribal Services podcast graphic design and illustrative work is supported and funded by 4Culture.
People of the Inside is produced and edited by Elke Hautala and Cari Simson of Invisible Histories in Seattle, Washington.
People of The Inside podcast
Season 1: Episode 1
Tribal Recognition, Resilience, and Canoe Journey
The pilot episode of "People of the Inside" introduces listeners to the enduring presence, history, and resilience of the Duwamish Tribe, the original inhabitants of the area we now call Seattle WA. This episode explores the legal struggle for Federal recognition, the tribe’s commitment to cultural continuation, and a sneak peak of the spiritual and community-building power of the annual Tribal Canoe Journey. Through personal narratives and professional insights, guests discuss what it means to be Duwamish in modern-day Seattle, focusing on the tribe's ongoing fight to honor treaty commitments and preserve their ancestral identity.
Show Notes
Introduction: Host Nancy Sackman introduces The People of the Inside podcast: sharing the tribe's history, hopes, challenges, and dreams. Learn more about Nancy’s work: Duwamish Tribe’s Cultural Preservation Department.
Legal Perspective:
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Chairwoman Cecile Hanson and her daughter, Cindy Williams share the Tribe's 50-year fight for federal recognition and the importance of asserting their sovereignty.
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K&L Gates Attorney Bart Freedman explains the history of treaty violations, starting with the Treaty of Point Elliott, and the systemic complexities of the federal recognition process.
Canoe Journey teaser:
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Listeners join the Duwamish Canoe Family out on the waters of Elliott Bay with Skipper Lee leading paddle practice on July 5th 2026.
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Guests Kristina Pearson, Michael Pearson, and Alyssa Johnson recount personal experiences with the modern-day Canoe Journey, describing it as a pathway to healing, ancestral connection, and community building.
Community Impact:
-
Join the Duwamish Canoe family on 7/29 at 1pm at Don Armeni park (1222 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116) for the launch of the Duwamish Canoe on the 2026 Canoe Journey to Nisqually; see the canoe launch and celebrate the Duwamish Canoe family
-
Join the Duwamish Canoe family at Nisqually on August 5-6th for Protocol at the Medicine Creek Potlatch, “Healing Through Our Waters By Honoring Our Ancestors”
-
Learn about the first Paddle to Seattle in 1989 (MOHAI brochure), and how Tribal Canoe Journey was started.
-
Visit the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center to learn more, volunteer and get involved with Seattle’s first people.
-
The episode touches on the "Real Rent" initiative for Seattle residents to donate to the Duwamish Tribe.
Credits:
Creative Director and Host: Nancy Sackman, Vice Chair of the Duwamish Tribe; Cultural Preservation Officer | Duwamish Tribal Historic Preservation | Duwamish Tribe
Additional voiceovers: Vanessa Gloria
Recorded at the Duwamish Longhouse in July 2026.
Music: The Grandmother song was gifted to the Duwamish by Justin Finkbonner and sung by Blake Shelafoe
Artwork: Shayla Hufana
The Duwamish Tribal Services podcast graphic design and illustrative work is supported and funded by 4Culture.
People of the Inside is produced and edited by Elke Hautala and Cari Simson of Invisible Histories in Seattle, Washington.
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