Unsettled Territory: How activists built a safe haven for Native culture in Seattle

A safe haven for Native cultural preservation lies within Discovery Park, Seattle’s largest public park. Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center was founded in the 1970s by United Indians of All Tribes, an alliance of activists from across Seattle’s urban Native communities and their allies. Seeking a community space and citing their land rights under the Treaty of Fort Laramie, they staked a claim to the acreage under a decommissioned military base, triggering violent opposition.
Hear from Colville elder Randy Lewis, a founding organizer, about how the group overcame adversity and successfully built a hub for healing, education and community. Then, learn from Daybreak Star gallery curator José Montaño about the lasting impact of establishing a public space where Native art, music and culture can be celebrated.