Native American Heritage Month: Acknowledging, Remembering, and Uplifting Seattle’s Indigenous Roots

SEATTLE – This November, Visit Seattle proudly celebrates Native American Heritage Month, honoring the vibrant cultures, traditions, and histories of local tribes. The city sits upon the unceded, traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples. Seattle itself is named after Chief Seattle (siʔaɬ), a hereditary chief of the Suquamish and Duwamish people. This is a time to learn and acknowledge the traditions and history of Indigenous peoples that have shaped Seattle.

Throughout the city, there are a variety of ways to engage with and learn from Indigenous communities. Discover the creativity of local artists at Tidelands, a new Native-owned art gallery located downtown or explore curated multi-media art exhibits honoring Native artists past and present at the Burke Museum. Stop by the United Indians Native Art Market (Nov. 23-24 and Dec. 21-22) to support Native artisans, or if you’re hungry, grab a bite to eat and support local Native business owners at Off the Rez Café. No matter where you start, there are several opportunities to immerse yourself in Seattle’s Indigenous community.

“When you purchase home goods and art from authentic Native artists and Native-owned brands like Eighth Generation, you’re proving to the world that authenticity matters, that Native American art and design has a place in your home and your life,” said Colleen Echohawk, CEO of Eighth Generation. “You’re saying “I won’t stand for cultural appropriation; instead, I’ll stand up for cultural appreciation by investing in Native artists, and support the creativity, ingenuity, and entrepreneurship that are such a foundational part of the Native community for millennia.” 

Seattle welcomes several new and upcoming Indigenous highlights, from shops to art exhibits.

A public art installation in the entrance of the Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion showcases the work of Seattle-based glass artist and Lummi Nation member, Dan Friday. The Ocean Pavilion opened at the end of August 2024. Yubəč from Sacred Circle (named after the Lushootseed word “King Salmon)” is a new boutique and gift shop offering jewelry, books, and home goods.

Looking ahead, Northwest Native Canoe Center is anticipated to open in Spring 2026. Seattle Parks and Rec and the United Indians of All Tribes are partnering to build this educational/cultural center in South Lake Union.

See below for more ways to support the community:

Events:

• Luminosity Glass Exhibit: Visit the Stonington Gallery Oct. 3 to Nov. 30 to see glass art from Northwest Native artists such as Dan Friday and Preston Singletary.
• United Indians Gala Fundraiser: On Nov. 2 there is a gala at Bell Harbour International Conference Center to help support the Daybreak Star Community Center with an auction, food, and traditional dance performance.
• Make-a-Flake Workshop: On Nov. 7, attend a workshop with Cynthia from Blue Dot Beadwork at yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective. Attendees will have the chance t to create beautiful snowflake ornaments for the holidays (supplies provided).
• Potlatch Fund Gala: This annual fundraising gala on Nov. 9 at the Kiana Lodge in Poulsbo is an opportunity to celebrate Native artists, center cultural traditions, and highlight Indigenous excellence.
• Beading Workshop: Join Ariana Griggs of the Port Gamble S’klallam Tribe on Nov. 10 at the Suquamish Museum for a beading workshop (supplies provided).
• RESGiving: Attend a fundraising event for Red Eagle Soaring Native Youth Theatre (RES) at the Central Saloon in Pioneer Square on Nov. 21
• United Indians Native Art Market: Support artists at the Daybreak Star Cultural Center from Nov. 23-24 and Dec. 21-22 with purchases of jewelry, art prints, and woodworking.
• November Native Art Market: Visit an art market with Indigenous vendors and food, Nov. 29 to Dec 1 at the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center

Heritage Sites:

• Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center: This center, founded in Discovery Park, hosts a gallery as well as numerous social and cultural programs that serve the local and regional Native community. The Cultural Center was established by the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation by Native American activists in 1970, after the land was occupied partly by a former military base.
• Burke Museum: Located at the northwest corner of the University of Washington campus, the Burke Museum exhibits artifacts from throughout the Pacific Rim, including Northwest Coast Native American masterpiece baskets, archaeological materials, carvings, and other artwork. The museum’s Pacific Voices exhibit includes a display about the First Salmon Ceremony.
• Chief Seattle Statue: A life-size bronze statue of the Native American Chief for whom Seattle is named graces the historic intersection of 5th Avenue and Denny Way and Cedar Street, near Seattle Center. Designed by sculptor James Wehn in 1907, the statue is listed in the national Register of Historic Places. The Chief’s right arm is raised in greeting, a pose characteristic of the tribal leader who signed a treaty in 1855 on behalf of the Duwamish and Suquamish people.
• Pioneer Square: Seattle’s oldest neighborhood contains many layers of Native American heritage. Two Indigenous villages were once located in the vicinity, and the Lushootseed name for the area, Dzidzilalich, translates as “a little place where one crosses over.” The totem, a 1938 replica created by Tlingit carver Charles Brown, was acquired by the City of Seattle. This neighborhood is home to another James When design, a bust of Chief Seattle, created in 1909. A 1991 artwork called Day/Night by Hachivi Edgar Heap of Birds flanks the bust and comments on the experiences of Native people in Seattle. Occidental Square, one block southeast of Pioneer Place, is the setting for several contemporary carvings in traditional Northwest Coast styles by Duane Pasco.
• Log House Museum and Birthplace of Seattle Monument: Exhibits at the museum highlight Indigenous history. A monument on Alki Avenue SW in West Seattle marks the location where the Denny Party landed in 1851 and received assistance from the Duwamish Tribe to survive their first winter.
• Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center: This cedar post and beam structure opened in 2009 becoming the first new tribal longhouse constructed in Seattle in over 150 years. The facility is a Duwamish Tribe headquarters and offers gallery exhibits, films, performances, and community events. Across the street, Terminal 107 Park and Herring’s House Park provide access to the Duwamish River. Up the hill from the Longhouse at Belvedere Viewpoint (3600 Admiral Way SW), a story pole carved by Michael Halady, a descendant of Chief Seattle, honors the Duwamish people.
• The Suquamish Museum: Located on the Port Madison Reservation, less than one hour west of Seattle via the Bainbridge Ferry, The Suquamish Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and teaching the living culture and history of the Suquamish Tribe. The museum has permanent exhibits and educational opportunities that showcase the history and culture of the Suquamish people.

Indigenous Businesses to Support:

• Bury Me in Gold: Piercing shop in South Lake Union that sources ethically-made and conflict-free gold body jewelry in a variety of standards.
• Dark Horse Tattoo: Tattoo parlor in Belltown with a collective of artists dedicated to customer experience.
• Eighth Generation: Seattle-based art and lifestyle brand owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe. Partnering with community-based artists in Washington, Eighth Generation reclaims control over the market for products featuring Native art, such as blankets and bags.
• In Bloom Salon & Beauty Boutique: Salon offering high-quality cosmetic services in Pioneer Square. Services include hairstyling, lash extensions, and facial waxing.
• Indian Summer: Vintage store in Capitol Hill that promotes community in Seattle by hosting local events and donating 20% of all profits to charity.
• Kaigani Craft: Found in Pike Place Market, owner Jacinthe Demmert sells handwoven products, from jewelry to basketry. Demmert grew up in the Stáas’taas clan of the Haida Nation in Alaska, where she learned wood-crafting and textile work from her parents.
• Little Tin Good & Apothecary Cabinet: Speakeasy garden bar in Ballard serving Hawaiian cuisine and specialty cocktails.
• Moon Village Bakery: Artisan bakery in South Seattle that serves all-natural baked goods such as bread, donuts, and cakes.
• Nacho Mama’s Fry Bread Café: White Center restaurant serving Native American cuisine that owner Debra LeComb grew up with.
• Native Soul Cuisine: Pop-up restaurant and catering business owned by chef Jeremy Thunderbird, serving Native American comfort food like blue corn tamales and Navajo tacos.
• Off the Rez Café: Café at the Burke Museum owned by Native food truck owner Mark McConnell, who grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, Montana. Off the Rez Café serves traditional Blackfeet frybread and recipes inspired by McConnell’s childhood.
• Sacred Circle Gallery and Gift Shop: Gift shop owned by the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation that sells 100% native-designed products in Magnolia, Ballard, and SEA Airport.
• Ya’axche Massage Therapy: Massage therapy studio in Ballard offering treatment in techniques such as fascia, cupping, and sports massage.
• Yubəč: New boutique and gift shop in the Fremont neighborhood named for the Lushootseed word for King Salmon.

For more ways to support the local Indigenous communities and to view Visit Seattle’s Native American Heritage Guide, please take a look at Visit Seattle’s website.

Do you have a recommendation for how to celebrate Native American Heritage Month in Seattle? Please submit your ideas to [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

About Visit Seattle:
Visit Seattle has served as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Seattle and King County for more than 50 years. A 501(c)(6) organization, Visit Seattle enhances the economic prosperity of the region through global destination branding along with competitive programs and campaigns in leisure travel marketing, convention sales and overseas tourism development. Visit visitseattle.org.