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Native American Heritage Month: Keeping the Lushootseed Language Alive

If you turned the clock back several hundred years, you would be surrounded by Coast Salish peoples speaking Lushootseed. Would you know how to say hello? ʔi čəxʷ or haʔɫ sləx̌il (Tulalip Lushootseed). Though the language has evolved to reflect a changing world, you could still use that greeting to say hello to thousands of people today. But Lushootseed, like many native languages,… [ Keep reading ]

The Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team: Forging a Tradition One Step at a Time

by Dr. Marie Rose Wong Chinese American History in Context On 8 May 1882, the 47th United States Congress passed Chinese Exclusion Law in what would be the first significant piece of federal immigration legislation and the only such law that was based solely on race. During its enforcement, the law had seen several revisions and additions with each one being more restrictive in determining which Chinese immigrants would be allowed… [ Keep reading ]

Honoring My Ancestors Through Environmental Advocacy

by James Rasmussen  My life is committed to protecting the traditional homelands of my people, the Duwamish Tribe. For more than 30 years, I have advocated for the restoration of critical environmental habitats, including the clean up of the Duwamish River—a slender vein that winds upward, connecting Tukwila to Elliot… [ Keep reading ]

Why I’m Thankful for Indigenous Resistance

By Wakíƞyaƞ Waánataƞ (Matt Remle) “There is resistance: in Canada, it’s coming from First Nations. But it’s worth remembering that that’s a worldwide phenomenon. Throughout the world, the indigenous populations are in the lead. They are actually taking the lead in trying to protect the earth…. It’s pretty ironic that… [ Keep reading ]

Native American Heritage Month: Na’ah Illahee Fund

Na’ah Illahee Fund is an Indigenous women-led organization dedicated to the ongoing regeneration of Indigenous communities. Focused on Indigenous Ecology, Food Sovereignty, and Wise Action, they work to advance climate and gender justice while creating healthy pathways towards self-determination and movement-building. We recently checked in with Susan Balbas, Executive Director… [ Keep reading ]

Native American Heritage Month: Daybreak Star Radio

Launched in July 2021, Daybreak Star Radio Network is Indigenizing the Airwaves through programming that focuses on language arts, education, storytelling, and music that connects Indigenous people to their heritage by strengthening their sense of belonging and significance as Native people. The station operates out of the Daybreak Star Cultural… [ Keep reading ]

What Does it Mean to Be Indigenous in the 21st Century?

Words and video by D.A. Navoti My artwork starts with the question: What does it mean to be Indigenous in the 21st century? My name is D.A. Navoti and I am a member of the Gila River Indian Community, a descendant of Hopi, Zuni, Akimel O’otham, and Yavapai-Apache tribes. As… [ Keep reading ]

Seattle Histories: Pieces of Promenade

Pieces of Promenade by Leija Farr I’ll give my children the dreams, the streaks of maroon. The glimpses of red apples. The recollections of light, even if broken. Gaped. Hyphenated. They will only imagine the sand colored brick, the incessant shimmer of the store sign. Only now their mother will… [ Keep reading ]

Community Liaison Abdirahman Hashi shares the Somali American experience

Abdirahman Hashi is a veteran workforce development and human services professional with an extensive background in employment, training, housing, public health, and community relations. In his work, Abdi addresses socio-economic barriers, health disparities and racial equity in the greater King County region. He offers technical assistance to grassroot organizations and… [ Keep reading ]

Seattle Histories: The Power of Authentic Filipino-American Representation

The Power of Authentic Filipino-American Representation Words and paintings by Cleo Pineda As a naturalized citizen of the United States, people often ask me about my experience moving to a different country. Tumultuous. Being raised in a Filipino household where I ate dishes like Sinigang and spoke in Kapampangan and then… [ Keep reading ]