Message from the Executive Director
On the morning of March 8, 1970, over one hundred Native Americans and their allies scaled the fences of Fort Lawton Army Base in Seattle as part of a peaceful takeover of the land scheduled to be sold or given to the city as surplus.
Climbing over razor wire, enduring beatings and being jailed for their protests, these activists persevered for months until they finally succeeded in getting an agreement from the city to lease part of Discovery Park for a Native cultural center. Today, Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center and United Indians of All Tribes Foundation are a testament to their legacy.
This year, we are proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the takeover. To commemorate the historic event, we have scheduled a symbolic march, pow wow and community dinner to which the entire community is invited and welcome to participate.
On behalf of those of us benefiting from the sacrifices of the brave few who participated in the takeover, we say thank you. Our mission is to ensure your legacy lives on through our work in the community.
Please join us for the following events:
March 8, 2010
1:00pm – 3:30pm
March from Discovery Park North Parking Lot to Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center
Blessing by Duwamish Chairwoman Cecil Hanson followed by symbolic recreation of the takeover led by Head Start students, participants in the original invasion and any community members who support our mission. Dancing and drumming will be followed by light refreshments.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
1:00pm – 10:00pm
First annual Head Start Pow Wow
Grand Entries at 1 pm and 6 pm
Head Start students and employees past and present, please join us in celebrating this cornerstone program of United Indians. All community members, dancers and drums are encouraged to attend.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
1:00pm – 6:00pm
Community Dinner
Along with a community dinner, the program includes a performance by Red Eagle Soaring and community members sharing their favorite Bernie Whitebear stories.
All events are open to the public, free of charge and will take place at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center .
Salazar and Gregoire Visit Daybreak Star
United Indians hosted U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Governor Christine Gregoire on Wednesday, February 17, 2010. Greeted by United Indians Executive Director Marty Bluewater and Board Member Henry Cagey, the dignitaries toured the facility before holding a press conference for a large group of media in attendance.
“It was great exposure for United Indians and some good contacts were nurtured,” said Bluewater. “We’re honored that our friends ‘in high places’ paid us a visit and are glad to keep building upon these good relations.”
Career Fair Connects Community Members to Jobs
United Indians hosted its first ever Career Fair on February 4, 2010, attracting over 150 participants and over 30 agencies and companies looking to recruit employees. Hosted by the Pathways to Prosperity Program, the fair connected dozens of hiring agencies, companies and organizations to local job seekers.
The program included a keynote presentation from Shana Barehand, Liaison to Tribal Governments at the Washington State Department of Revenue and founder of the Society of American Indian Government Employees. Her well-received talk was followed by a panel discussion with representatives from WorkSource, the Tulalip Tribes and others. Afterwards, attendees networked with potential employers.
The event exceeded all expectations. Event Coordinator Machell Louis states, “When we started planning, we had no idea there would be such great interest in the fair. It was a very pleasant surprise to see how many employers want to reach out to the Native community.”
Said volunteer Charleene Smith, who helped plan and implement the event, “There were so many favorable comments from attendees and presenters. It was a privilege and pleasure working on this successful event.”
A central goal to the Pathways Program is to assist community members in finding meaningful, rewarding employment opportunities at a living wage. Pathways to Prosperity is a Northwest Area Foundation-supported program.
GED Program Helps Hundreds Each Year
The last year was a banner year for the United Indians’ GED testing program. Open to anyone in the community who wishes to attain their GED, the testing center is located at our Columbia City site.
According to Chief Test Examiner Scott Myrene, “A poor economy and extremely high un-employment did not stop over 800 courageous people from testing for their GED. Their hard work and determination paid off as over 400 people earned their GED with United Indians last year. In turn, this opened the door to new employment opportunities, membership into trade unions and promotions at current jobs. Many of our GED grads also chose to further their education at a wide variety of higher learning institutions including trade and technical schools, community colleges and universities. Kudos to all our 2009 GED graduates on their fantastic achievements!”
If you are interested in getting more info about GED testing, please contact (206) 723-6288 or visit http://unitedindians.org/programs_001_002.html. We can help you find free GED preparation services in the Seattle area including agencies who also offer financial assistance to help cover your testing fees.
PTAC Office Relocates
United Indians’ Procurement and Technical Assistance (Native PTAC) program recently relocated from its downtown office space to Kent . The Native PTAC helps individual and tribally-owned Native companies become successful in contracting with federal, state and local governments.
According to Native PTAC Coordinator Daucey Brewington, “We provide one-to-one assistance with government certifications and registrations, interpretation of solicitations, bid and proposal reviews, marketing advice and contract performance support. In other words, our technical assistance is designed to help Native-owned companies navigate the government contracting process.”
Since becoming a United Indians program, the Native PTAC has assisted hundreds of clients through one-on-one consultation, regional trainings and conferences, and direct assistance in developing 8a certification. To find out more about the Native PTAC, visit http://www.nativeptac.org/.
Entrepreneurship Program Graduate Featured in Indian Country Today
A graduate of United Indians’ entrepreneurship program, Gary LaPointe, was recently featured in the national publication Indian Country Today for his efforts to support the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in their fight to hold onto 7,100 acres of land. LaPointe, owner of Northwest Tipi Sales and Rentals, felt called to action to help the tribe set up two tipis upon the land.
As part of the Pathways to Prosperity Program, LaPointe completed the entrepreneurship classes and business support group aimed at giving budding Native business people the tools and support needed to launch viable businesses. LaPointe plans for his business to offer both rentals and sales and hopes to expand services that will include cultural programming.
To see the story in Indian Country Today visit http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/archive/80416027.html.
United Indians Works to Get Community Members “Banked”
United Indians has been selected to be a part of the Seattle -King County Asset Building Coalition/Bank On community partnership. A coalition of financial institutions and community partners, United Indians and Bank On have teamed up to provide public education opportunities to the community.
Intended to promote getting the unbanked banked, and educating against the pitfalls of relying upon predatory lending institutions such as payday loans, pawn shops and tax return anticipation loans, Bank On partners provide financial education classes and seminars in person and online. Further, some financial partners offer special incentives to those opening checking and savings accounts through the Bank On Program.
To learn more about the Bank On partnership and upcoming classes and workshops, contact Pathways Financial Education Coordinator Rose Rapoza at rrapoza@unitedindians.org.
Notice to Community on Fundraising
United Indians does not conduct any fundraising activities door-to-door. Please do not contribute to anyone who solicits on behalf of Daybreak Star or United Indians door-to-door. This is not a sanctioned fundraising activity.
