United Indians of All Tribes retake Fort Lawton
March 8, 1970
Fort Lawton takeover
As Bernie Whitebear (Sinixt/Colville) describes it, "The March 8, 1970 invasion and occupation of Fort Lawton, an active military base in the northwest section of Seattle, was an attempt by Seattle’s Native American community to establish a land base to serve the largest urban Native American population west of Tulsa and north of San Francisco."
"Before the invasions and occupations, which lasted approximately three months, there were no Federal, State, County, or City funds available for services to Native Americans in Seattle. The only social services were provided by an organization of Indian women, operating from an old church, existing primarily on donations and volunteer help. The organization was the American Indian Women’s Service League."
The occupation led to 20 acres being granted to United Indians of All Tribes Foundation and the construction of the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, which is still active today.
"Before the invasions and occupations, which lasted approximately three months, there were no Federal, State, County, or City funds available for services to Native Americans in Seattle. The only social services were provided by an organization of Indian women, operating from an old church, existing primarily on donations and volunteer help. The organization was the American Indian Women’s Service League."
The occupation led to 20 acres being granted to United Indians of All Tribes Foundation and the construction of the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, which is still active today.