Native Seattle

Marvelous Museums

On the University of Washington’s campus, Burke Museum (4303 Memorial Way NE) greets visitors with a series of larger-than-life bronze paddles, created by artists Tony A. (naschio) Johnson and Adam McIsaac to show a variety of Chinook styles. Inside, find a collection of Indigenous pieces in the Northwest Native Art Gallery, including baskets, house posts, a 35-foot-long canoe, and ancient cedar-bark hats. The museum’s cafe, Off the Rez, serves Indian tacos on handmade fry bread. The Seattle Art Museum (1300 First Ave) is another great stop to view displays of Native art in a variety of mediums, from paintings to masks to sculptures.

Annual Seafair Indian Days Powwow; Photo Credits: Jack Storms, Dancers L-R: Summer Olney and Danelle Stanley

Welcoming Communities

Explore the city’s cultural centers, including West Seattle’s Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center (4705 W Marginal Way SW), crafted in the traditional cedar post-and-beam style, and Magnolia’s Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center (5011 Bernie Whitebear Way), which will host the 36th Annual Seafair Indian Days Powwow (July 18–20, 2025), featuring drummers, dancers in traditional regalia, and food. A short drive from the city, visit the Suquamish Museum (6861 NE South St, Suquamish) and Chief Seattle’s grave on the Kitsap Peninsula, or head north to Snohomish County to learn about local Native languages and explore a natural history preserve at the Hibulb Cultural Center (6410 23rd Avenue NE, Tulalip).

Handcrafted Gifts

Support the local Native community and take home a one-of-a-kind keepsake from Steinbrueck Native Gallery (2030 Western Ave), Eighth Generation (1406 First Ave), and Stonington Gallery (125 S Jackson St). The Burke Museum Store (4303 Memorial Way NE;) stocks cool paper goods produced by Native-owned companies like Urban Native Era and Trickster Company, including colorful stickers by local artists Nick Alan and Yardia. Daybreak Star’s Sacred Circle Gallery (5011 Bernie Whitebear Way) hosts rotating art exhibits and carries beautiful gifts. (There’s an outpost of the gallery at SEA Airport, near the A gates.) 

Northwest Passages

Coming soon to Lake Union, the Canoe Carving House (860 Terry Ave N) will be the first phase of the Northwest Native Canoe Center. When it opens in summer 2025, visitors can learn about Northwest Native American skills and beliefs, and Native carvers will have a safe place to work on, store, and launch canoes.