OFFICIAL DAILY ACTION FOR JULY 1ST, 2022
In 2021, the Seattle City Council created an Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) to “advise the city government on issues affecting American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian people residing in Seattle”. This nine-member council can leverage its influence to advance the priorities of indigenous communities and “work to fulfill trust and treaty obligations” towards indigenous peoples residing in Seattle. However, earlier this month, the City revealed that the Duwamish Tribe was denied a position on the IAC.
The Duwamish Tribe is the indigenous tribe of the Greater Seattle area, and has deep roots in the community. The Duwamish Tribal Council and their nominee to the IAC, Councilman Ken Workman, have worked closely with the City of Seattle in the past on several important matters that affected Indigenous communities in Seattle. Yet, the Duwamish Tribe was denied all positions for which they applied. The Seattle City Council must reconsider their decision to not include Councilman Workman as a member of the inaugural IAC.
ACTION: URGE YOUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER TO RECONSIDER THE CITY’S DECISION TO EXCLUDE THE DUWAMISH TRIBE FROM THE IAC
In response to the decision, the Duwamish Tribal Council wrote a letter of objection to the City, detailing its grievances and asking for a reason for the City’s decision, urging them to reconsider. It is also requesting their supporters to reach out to the City Council to rectify this judgment, including two sample letter templates that you can use! The Tribe requests that you cc Kendee Yamaguchi, the Deputy Mayor of External Affairs ([email protected]), as well as Tim Reynon, the Tribal Relations Director ([email protected]), in your communications with the City.
Letter/email samples: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16hjoAunZ4XPpEvIZjNX14ChLPX8SkAOq5zZIOUWJRQk/edit
Full City Council: [email protected]
AND/OR: Find your City Councilmembers: http://www.seattle.gov/council/meet-the-council/find-your-district-and-councilmembers
Background:
Information about the IAC: https://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/indigenous-advisory-council
The Duwamish Tribe’s letter of objection to the City: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XsyEy7w_rmm-PeTGDFGrxX-uD797zD06/view
