22 Highlights from 2022
Good afternoon neighbors,
Our office has been busy this year. Below are 22 memories - listed in chronological order - which we would like to celebrate and share with you as we turn the calendar to next year.
This year brought new challenges. It was the first year of my term as Council President, and I was able to use my six years of prior legislative experience to steer the ship that is the Seattle City Council. We met with community partners in North Seattle and city-wide. We advocated for the needs of our D5 neighbors and the greater good of our City through effective collaboration with the Mayor’s office, executive departments, and other City agencies.
I am grateful for my colleagues on the Council. In navigating the pandemic, our work environment, like many others, has been in a state of flux, between virtual meetings to start the year and hybrid meetings after Council chambers were officially reopened in June. This year’s budget process was especially challenging as we were faced with the looming structural deficit, but again we came together around the greater good of our City.
This holiday season, I look forward to some family time. This is the first year I will get to celebrate with my new grand-babies, who we welcomed into the family at the end of the summer.
I always look forward to this time of year as a chance to recharge and I hope to enter the new year rejuvenated. My next year representing District 5 and serving as Council President will build off of the momentum and relationships of this previous year.
Our office extends wishes for good health and happy holidays this year, and we thank you for your support and care for our community. We hope you enjoy looking through the memories below. Please reach out with any of your own you would like to share.
#1 - At the beginning of 2022, my council colleagues elected me to serve as the next Council President. - After being elected to serve as Council President, I sat down with KING 5 at Daybreak Star for a chat with Chris Daniels. Check out the interview here: One-on-one with Seattle's first Indigenous city council president | king5.com
#2 - Chief Seattle Club opens doors to 100 Indigenous residents in Pioneer Square - Chief Seattle Club opened up its first housing development in Pioneer Square. The ?ál?al building, which means “home” in Lushootseed, has welcomed nearly 100 residents in 80 units.
#3 - March 2nd was recognized as Seattle Kraken Day! - City Council passed a proclamation declaring March 2nd as Seattle Kraken Day in honor of the franchise and the support of the 32s (what Kraken fans are called). The celebration was held at the Kraken Community Iceplex, which has welcomed over one million people to the center this year.
#4 - I had the honor and privilege to join President Joseph Biden and other members of the Seattle political leadership during his visit to Seattle in celebration of Earth Day. - Accompanied by the U.S. Senators Murray, Cantwell, and the rest of our congressional delegation, Mayor Harrell and County Executive Constantine - as well as Native leaders from across the Pacific Northwest community - President Biden signed an executive order to protect some of our nation’s oldest forests. Tribal leadership in attendance included Tulalip Chair Teri Gobin, Muckleshoot Chair Jaison Elkins, Nisqually Chair Willie Frank Jr., Suquamish Chair Leonard Forsman, and Squaxin Island Tribal Chair Kris Peters.
#5 - Our office connected with the next generation of young women leaders from the Native Action Network. - Conversations were held around public service, and the leadership of Indigenous women. I was honored to receive a Puyallup blanket from the group to commemorate our time together.
#6 - In April, I was selected by Mayor Harrell to join the Search Committee to identify Seattle’s next Chief of Police. - This committee was a group of 14 leaders with diverse backgrounds from across the City that came together to inform the Mayor’s ultimate appointment of a full-time Chief of Police.
In September, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the appointment of Adrian Diaz as the new Chief of Police for the Seattle Police Department (SPD). I have met with Chief Diaz throughout the year to discuss public safety concerns across the City and District 5. I am grateful for these conversations and his leadership.
#7 - This summer, I supported the SPD hiring initiatives, and incentives in response to constituent concerns calling for the City Council to support public safety efforts. - City Council approved Resolution 32050 and Council Bill 120320. I was happy to vote in favor of both pieces of legislation. I look forward to working with the Mayor and my Council colleagues as we continue these valuable discussions.
#8 - Council Chambers were opened in June for in-person public comment. - Proclamation 20-28.16 from Governor Inslee rescinded in-person restrictions related to Open Public Meetings, effective June 1, 2022. It became our responsibility to provide access to public meetings at City Hall in accordance with the updated guidance in place.
#9 - I had the honor and privilege of accepting the title of “Legend” from the OL Reign, our local NWSL Team. - The Legends Campaign celebrates extraordinary female leaders in the Pacific Northwest for their contributions to our community and beyond. I took the opportunity to sit down with Converge Media to discuss what this accolade meant to me, you can read the entire article here.
#10 - We celebrated the 10 year anniversary of Huy, an Indigenous and human rights nonprofit agency founded in District 5. - This group provides economic, educational, rehabilitative, and religious support for Indigenous prisoners in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the United States. I’m so pleased to celebrate 10 years of the life-changing work of this organization.
#11 - In June, the City Council celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX, recognizing leaders from Rise Above and the WNBA’s Seattle Storm. - Title IX, which passed in 1972, was a landmark change in federal law that prohibits discrimination in all areas of education, including athletics. Title IX single-handedly opened athletic opportunities for women and girls that had never been available before in history.
#12 - After the Grand Opening of the Maker Space and Cultural Arts Center for the Refugee Artisan Initiative in June, we were able to visit in September! - The Refugee Artisan Initiative (RAI) provides workforce training for immigrant and refugee mothers who need to be able to work from home.
#13 - This summer, the City made history - in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Neighborhoods - with the appointment of the inaugural members of the Indigenous Advisory Council. - City Council unanimously confirmed the appointment of nine members to the City’s new Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC). Established by legislation sponsored by my office, the IAC includes representation from the area’s diverse Indigenous communities.
#14 - Coyote North - an indigenous arts space geared towards youth - opened at 123rd and Lake City Way. - Coyote North is now open with classes to put youth creativity to work. Studio Coyote is built for 10-15 year olds and runs year round, following Seattle Public Schools’ schedule.
#15 & #16 - In August, the City Council passed legislation that ensures the protection of abortion rights and maintain access to gender-affirming care across the city. - Council unanimously voted to pass two pieces of legislation protecting abortion rights and gender-affirming care across the City. The legislation was introduced in the summer by Councilmember Morales (D2), and Councilmember Herbold (D1), following the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
I was thrilled to vote in favor of the legislation that protects fundamental rights here at home as they are under attack in areas across the nation. These ordinances affirm our City Council’s commitment to ensuring bodily autonomy for our neighbors seeking gender-affirming care and abortion access.
#17 & #18 - Seattle Indian Health Board opened two new clinics that provide healthcare services through holistic Indigenous practices. - The first opened in August in partnership with the Chief Seattle Club at the ?al?al building in Pioneer Square. The second clinic opened in Lake City in September, in partnership with the North Helpline. Congratulations to the Seattle Indian Health Board!
A special thanks to Senator Patty Murray for attending. You continue to be a champion for the health of people across Washington. Thank you.
#19 - The community celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Salmon Homecoming on Pier 62 in downtown Seattle. - This annual event continues to share the importance of protecting our salmon and our environment.
#20 - The City opened Detective Cookie “Chess” Park, honoring a local leader’s efforts to support the community through learning the game of chess. - This park, named in honor of Detective Denise “Cookie” Bouldin, was the result of many years of hard work and advocacy by the community to turn an unused street corner into a community gathering space where everyone - young or old - can play chess
#21 - We celebrated the 1-year anniversary of the Northgate Light Rail Station - the busiest station in the LINK system! - Our office looks forward to continued partnership with Sound Transit as we get closer to the opening of the NE 130th, and South Shoreline/148th stations.
#22 - I stood in solidarity with the SPS students who marched to City Hall following the tragic shooting at Ingraham High School in November. - As part of the budget process, we secured $4 million for SPS Mental Health services over the next two years, $250,000 of which will go directly to Ingraham HS in 2023.