Shop BIPOC: Where You Spend Your Money Matters
Photo:
Credit: Duwamish tribe
Gorgeous gifts
Did you know that the Duwamish tribe — the Indigenous people of the Seattle metropolitan area — has opened its longhouse headquarters to the public, and that it features a great gift store? The Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center gift shop features bags, jewelry, clothing, books, toys and blankets that showcase Native American and Northwest Coastal tribal design. Center Director Jolene Hass shares that most of the shop merchandise is now also available for purchasing online, but they welcome in-person shopping and visitors, too.
The center also leads school tours, and since its opening in 2009 has hosted over 2,000 school groups of students ranging in age from elementary to college. At present, they’ve pivoted to conducting outdoor eco-tours along the Duwamish River for small groups. Proceeds from the shop, rental fees from the space for events and the tours sustain the center’s operations, so consider a multi-purpose visit to the longhouse!
Other local BIPOC-owned gift shops (some featuring culturally oriented gifts) include Andaluz in Columbia City, Re. Evolución in Rainier Beach and Kobo Seattle in the International District and on Capitol Hill.
