Taking Back Fort Lawton – Bernie Whitebear (1994)

Meeting the Needs of Seattle’s Native American Community Through Conversion

From ‘Race, Poverty & the Environment‘, Spring-Summer 1994, San Francisco, an edited version (with some removed and other added lines) later published as ‘A Brief History of the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation’ at the site of the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation in 2006 (whose link to Whitebear’s article is currently non-functional), with the additional lines from the later version added here in brackets

by Bernie Whitebear [Sinixt / Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation]

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.

Pearl Warren was the director, and Joyce Reyes was the League’s President. Other important members who have since passed away were Ella Aquino, Josephine Kauffman, Dorothy Lombard, and Tillie Cavanaugh. Mary Jo Butterfield, Alma Chastain, Adeline Garcia and Lindsay Buxton continue as important members of the community today.

The only other services available were provided by an Indian free clinic, operating from donated space [on the 2nd floor] at the Marine Public Health Hospital [on Beacon Hill, using the Ortho clinic] three nights a week [when not in use by the hospital], and staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses, and donated pharmaceuticals, which were stored in the lady’s restroom.

The Indian free clinic later organized as the Seattle Indian Health Board [SIHB] and today is the largest urban Indian health delivery system in the nation, and the first to receive a doctor, dentist, and nurse from the National Health Service Corps.

During the pre-invasion period in Seattle, Indians had little experience in preventative health care, seeking assistance only in emergency or life threatening circumstances. This situation was the result of our people being ping-ponged from one hospital to the next under the mistaken assumption that the Federal Government was responsible for the welfare of all Indians.

In reality, the two federal agencies responsible for administering the trust status and “advocacy” of American Indians: The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Indian Health Services (IHS), had [already] developed a policy that in effect meant, “Once you leave the reservation, you were no longer Indian.” A technical translation basically meant that the BIA Affairs and IHS restricted their services to Indians who still resided on or near reservations and were under the administrative authority and jurisdiction of Tribal Governments.

This policy, which began with the Federal Government’s attempt to move the Indian people off their ancestral lands and into the mainstream of society, was known as the “Termination era of the Fifties.” In an attempt to end trust status and liquidate all tribal assets, the federal government set up relocation programs moving thousands of Indians into cities with promise of better employment and educational opportunities.

This was the final injustice to Indian people by the government, after having stolen all but 55 million acres of our land, and presided over the decimation of our culture and religion. The grand planners of the Eisenhower administration saw this as the coup de grace in segregating our people from our last vestiges as a distinct race of people.

In 1969, Indians in San Francisco Bay area occupied Alcatraz Island, in an attempt to use the former federal prison site as the location for a Native American cultural center. Alcatraz was deactivated as a federal penitentiary in 1963, shortly after what is believed to have been the only successful escape from the “escape proof” prison. A Native American inmate, Al Carnes, was reported to have been an accomplice to the three escapees, who have never been captured. Rewards are still being offered for their capture.

Also in 1969, news surfaced that Fort Lawton, an active military base in Seattle, was going to become surplus property [to the Army’s active military needs]. The City of Seattle had hopes that the property could revert to City ownership and be used for a grand park, somewhat on the scale of Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia.

At the time, federal law required that non-federal entities such as the City of Seattle would have to pay between 50-100% of fair market value, in order to receive [the] surplus property. This was an exorbitant cost that the City could not afford.

U.S. Senators Henry M. Jackson and Warren G. Magnuson, from Washington State, two of the most influential Senators in the U.S. Senate, introduced amendments in Congress to the U.S. Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965, to reduce costs for surplus property from 50-100% to 0-50%. In effect if the amendment passed, the City would be able to receive the multi-million dollar property at zero cost.

[Bernie Whitebear and] members of a newly formed American Indian organization in Seattle under the name of “Kinatechitapi,” (Blackfoot for “All Indians”) began making overtures to the City’s leaders, requesting that a portion of Fort Lawton [also] be set aside. They wanted to create an Indian Cultural Center similar to the one planned by the “Indians of All Tribes” [organization which was still] occupying Alcatraz Island.

The City Administration, obviously not taking the request seriously, responded that maybe the Indians should wait until the City received the property and then they would review the request. They suggested that in the mean time, the Indians submit their request to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This action displayed their ignorance of both the BIA’s restricted service policy, which excluded urban Indians, and also the disregard and disfavor urban Indians held for the BIA.

A few week later, then Mayor of Seattle, Wes Uhlman, and Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson held a press conference on the Fort Lawton property, promising the community that it could look forward to the City receiving the land for the exclusive use as a City Park. No mention was made of the [interest or] desire of the American Indian community to participate in the City’s future plans for the property, nor the City’s intention to include Indians in the planning process.

Follow up meetings within the Kinatechitapi organization revealed a widening philosophical split developing as to the future course of action. More conservative members favored a more diplomatic and low-key approach — to wait for the City to receive the property and resubmit their requests at that time. The other, more impatient and untrusting members of the organization favored a more extreme course of action. The conservative members said that if anyone pursued any of the more extreme remedies being discussed, they could not use the name, Kinatechitapi. This position was accepted and respected by all members, and its was understood that if a more activist element evolved, it would more likely split off and form a new organization, and both organizations would pursue their goal of gaining some of the Fort Lawton property.

After considerable discussions, the activist element feared that unless some extreme actions were taken, Indian interests would wane and dissolve as mere pipe dreams.

It should be noted that at this period in time, a great many [activist] efforts were on-going throughout the nation. Seattle had the Students for Democratic Society (SDS), the Black Panthers, United Black Contractors, Vietnam War and United Farm Workers protestors. Indian Tribes had become embroiled in fishing rights struggles against the State since the early 50s. Fish-ins resulted in Indian tribal men and women and their supporters being physically beaten and arrested by State and County police. [Indian supporters included comedian Dick Gregory, actor Marlon Brando, and attorney Melvin Belli.]

The [only too recent] assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Senator Robert Kennedy and the great civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr., further enraged many people, including Indians, who felt that this nation had to reassess it’s priorities, and in doing so, live up to the more than 300 treaties it used as a premise for stealing Indian land.

In essence, it seems there could have been no other choice for Seattle’s Indian community, than to follow the activist efforts of a growing number of dissidents, discontent with the nation’s seeming disregard for human equality. The stage now seemed set for the Indian community to follow the path of the “brothers and sisters” on Alcatraz, and attempt to physically occupy the Fort Lawton Military Base.

Information from the Indians of All Tribes on Alcatraz that some of them would be willing to travel to Seattle and join the occupation efforts added incentive to the on-going discussions. Similar commitments from “envoys” from Canada and other hot spots sealed the decision to invade and occupy Fort Lawton.

The “Moccasin Telegraph” worked surprising well and within days, numbers of supporters began arriving in Seattle and moved into a number of community homes. Confidence increased with the arrival of Richard Oakes, the charismatic leader of Alcatraz and Grace Thorpe, daughter of the legendary Sac & Fox athlete, Jim Thorpe.

Ongoing demonstrations by American Indian soldiers stationed at Fort Lewis south of Tacoma and near Frank’s Landing on the Nisqually Indian reservation, brought together other coalitions represented by Private Deni Leonard, fishing rights activists Don and Janet McCloud, Al and Maiselle Bridges and their daughters Susette, Valerie, and Alison, Sid Mills and Hank Adams, founders of Survival of American Indians, which gave increased emphasis to the impending occupation.

This coalition was responsible for actress Jane Fonda’s presence at Fort Lewis simultaneous to the date of the first invasion of Fort Lawton, March 8, 1970. [Jane Fonda was encouraged to lend her support to the Fort Lawton battle and arrived in Seattle immediately.] The support and presence of the internationally known Jane Fonda gave the invasion and occupation worldwide attention, and captured the imagination of the world press. American Indians were attacking an active military fort, along with one of the nation’s leading opponents of the United States involvement in the Vietnam war.

It seemed that what began as an effort to secure a land base for urban Indians had suddenly taken on a bizarre, ready for prime time, movie scenario, complete with soldiers defending an Army against modern day Indians, and anti-war activists. Without really appreciating it at the time, the Indian movement has achieved through Jane Fonda’s presence, a long sought credibility that would not have been possible otherwise.

The evening before the first invasion, a pow-wow was held at the Filipino Community Hall in south Seattle on a street today named after Martin Luther King, Jr. The purpose of the pow-wow was to announce the invasion plans to the largest possible gathering, including times and locations of the marshalling area for the organizing of car caravans.

The next day as scheduled, two half-mile long columns of vehicles began forming at the Southend Neighborhood House’s Henderson Hall, The two caravans with vehicles displaying red cloth banners from car aerials, travelled on different routes to their two different invasion sites. Although an attempt was made during the pow-wow to observe the utmost secrecy, the next day, radio news reports broadcast the ongoing invasion and were received on the caravan’s car radios.

The caravans reached their targeted sites on both the north and south sides of Fort Lawton and the Indians proceeded to climb fences, move in tipi poles and canvases, and set about occupying the property.

The Military Police and Army personnel responded by marching in formation and setting up skirmish lines in an attempt to close off further access to the interior areas of the fort. On the south side, Military Police tried to arrest a number of Indians who had entered the Army chapel while Sunday church services were in progress, much to the surprise of the parishioners.

As arrests and jailing in the fort stockade of the “American Indian Fort Lawton Occupation Forces” continued throughout the afternoon and early evening, hand-to-hand combat happened frequently as tempers flared on both sides due to overly aggressive handling by the MP’s [and extreme efforts by the Indians to avoid capture.]

This pattern of urban guerilla warfare occurred again and again: Invasions, arrests, jailing, letters of expulsion from military property, physical effort off the fort, re-invasion

The Army began getting heat from the Pentagon about not being able to secure Fort Lawton and responded by moving in two companies of troops from Fort Lewis and fourteen truckloads of concertina wire. In what seemed like overkill,the Army cordoned off the Fort with concertina wire and manned foxholes, leaving only the main gate accessible.

A tipi encampment was set up at the main gate of Fort Lawton, and on going demonstrations to block traffic into the fort continued to be a constant form of harassment to the MP’s.

After about three months, Indian leaders felt the encampment was becoming more of a liability than an asset, and plans were made for its dismantle. A press conference was scheduled at the Main Gate encampment to explain the next course of action. The MP’s were ecstatic about the plans and were eager to assist in the taking down of the tipis. Their jubilation was short-lived when they discovered the press conference was called to reaffirm the Indian’s claim to Fort Lawton. On signal, hundreds of Indians, followed by television news cameras, stormed past the surprised MP’s for one last invasion through Fort Lawton’s only access through the concertina wire.

Thus the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation was born, adding “United” and “Foundation” to the name borrowed from Alcatraz to show distinction between the two sister efforts.

The invasions and occupations had achieved on major objective, gaining commitments of support from the local residents of Seattle. Over 40 non-Indian organizations throughout King County now supported the Indian’s claim to part of Fort Lawton.

A delegation from United Indians managed to fly to Washington, D.C. and testify before Congressman Morris Udall’s committee on Senator Jackson’s Amendments to the Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965, later referred to as Senator Jackson’s Fort Lawton Bill. This delegation included Gary and Beverly Beaver, Randy Lewis, Grace Thorpe, Douglas Remington, and Bernie Whitebear.

Congressman Brock Adams received the Indian delegation in his office and pledged to support their efforts with Senators Jackson and Magnuson.

In November of 1970, a delegation from United Indians Nations including JoAnn Kauffman, Dr. Frances Svensson, Ron Gibbs, Randy Lewis and Bernie Whitebear attended the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in Anchorage, Alaska.

[In exchange for United Indians support in passage of block-voting rights for the Small Tribes of Western Washington (STOWW), the STOWW tribes helped pass] a resolution requesting then Bureau of Indian Affairs Commissioner, Louis Bruce to place a freeze on the Fort Lawton property while in its Excess Status, thus blocking the City of Seattle’s eligibility for the property. Cities, being non-federal agencies are only eligible to apply for federal property if the property has passed from “excess” to “surplus” status. The author, Vine Deloria, Jr., and newly elected President of the NCAI, Frank Ducheneauz supported the effort.

The Administrative Freeze was enacted by Commissioner Louis Bruce. Eventually, political pressure by the Department of Interior (DOI) on the BIA forced an end to the freeze, but not until considerable attention was given to the United Indians plan by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW). HEW solicited applications for use of the Fort Lawton property and Regional Director Bernard “Buck” Kelly accepted the United Indians application for part of the property prior to the City of Seattle’s application filing through the Department of Interior for all of the property.

The General Services Administration, responsible for final disposition of federal surplus property, ordered [the two sister federal agencies HEW and DOI to order their counterparts,] the United Indians [of All Tribes Foundation] and the City [of Seattle respectively,] to negotiate and submit a single application before any property would be transferred.

After negotiating from July to November of 1971, it was agreed that United Indians would lease twenty acres for a ninety-nine year period, with options for successive ninety-nine year periods without renegotiation, and have full development and administrative authority to build its Indian Cultural Center.

United Indians also required the City to provide $600,000 to the American Indian Women’ Service League for a Social Services Center. This $600,000 underwrote the Seattle Indian Services Commission, the City’s only Native American Public Development Authority.

The United Indians developed a Master plan which was approved by the City that provided for the development of several facilities: The Daybreak Star Arts Center, the Heritage Resource Center which included an Archives and Library, a Performing Arts Center, a Restaurant, the Peoples lodge, a multi-use facility, and a traditional Northwest Coast Longhouse.

Ground breaking for the Daybreak Star Center took place on September 27, 1975 and was completed and dedicated on May 13, 1977. Funding for the Center came from the City of Seattle, the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, private donations from the Colville, Quinault, and Makah Tribes, and from corporations.

The Daybreak Start Center serves as the Headquarters for the United Indians which owns two other major Service Centers in the City, and leases space for another Center in downtown Seattle. The United Indians employs over 100 staff and operates 11 separate programs.

The United Indians is also working on a Master Plan for the 21st Century which includes a Pre-school through Higher Education campus, Native American Veterans Center, Student and Homeless Housing, and Long Term Care and Housing for Indian Elders.

The 21st Century Master Plan — A Native American “Commons”– is the United Indians contribution to the City’s Urban Villages and ComPlan visionary planning efforts for the next 100 years and beyond.

(Bernie Whitebear (Colville), is the Executive Director of the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation.)

[In honor & in memory, Bernie Whitebear 1937-2000, United Indians of All Tribes Foundation]

Proclamation

We, the native Americans, re-claim the land known as Fort Lawton in the name of all American Indians by the right of discovery.

We feel this land of Fort Lawton is more suitable to pursue an Indian way of life, as determined by our own
standards. By this we mean “this place does not resemble most Indian reservations”. It has potential for modern facilities, adequate sanitation facilities, health care facilities, fresh running water, educational facilities, fisheries research facilities and transportation.

What use will we make of this land?

Since there is no place for Indians to assemble and carry on tribal ways and beliefs here in the white man’s city, we therefore, plan to develop?

1. A CENTER FOR NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES which will educate them to the skills and knowledge relevant to improve the lives and spirits of all Indian peoples.

2. A GREAT INDIAN UNIVERSITY to teach our people the way to make a living in the world, improve our standard of living and to end hunger and unemployment among all our people.

3. AN INDIAN CENTER OF ECOLOGY which will train and support our young people on scientific research and practice to restore our lands and waters to their pure and natural state.

We will work to de-pollute the air and waters of the Seattle area. We will seek to restore fish and to revitalize sea life which has been threatened by the white man’s way.

4. AN INDIAN SCHOOL to develop arts and crafts of our people.

5. AN INDIAN RESTAURANT serving native foods, which will be open to the public.

With this great center, we will show the beauty, dignity and the spirit of our traditional Indian ways.

In the name of all Indians, therefore, we re-claim this land for all our Indian nations. For all these reasons, we feel this claim is just and proper, and that this land is rightfully ours for as long as the rivers shall flow and for as long as the sun shall shine.