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Indigenous Advisory Council reviews year of work; five reappointments introduced
Summary
The Indigenous Advisory Council told the Seattle council committee it has expanded department partnerships, pressed for culturally attuned services and helped shape climate, parks and fisheries work. Five reappointments were introduced; the committee will vote on them Aug. 4.
The Seattle Finance, Native Communities and Tribal Governments Committee heard an annual update from the Indigenous Advisory Council on July 21 and received introductions for five reappointment nominees to the council.
Colby Monosmith, the Department of Neighborhoods liaison to the Indigenous Advisory Council, said the board — established by ordinance in 2021 and composed entirely of Indigenous people — has pushed departments to include Native priorities in areas from education engagement to environmental stewardship. "We are the only advisory board across the city that is composed entirely of indigenous people," Monosmith said, describing the council’s role in shaping culturally grounded policy and funding priorities.
IAC member Derek Bellegarde told the committee the council’s early involvement prevents harm to Native communities. "When policies and systems are created and they leave our native community out, our community is negatively impacted," he said, urging the city to keep the IAC at the table on issues including murdered and missing Indigenous people, housing and public safety.
Monosmith detailed specific outcomes the IAC helped secure: targeted Native engagement sessions for the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise levy; contributions to park planting policies that prioritize tribal-supplied materials and native-owned businesses; and coordination for FIFA World Cup planning sessions to mitigate risks such as human trafficking.
Chair Dan Strauss thanked the panel and said the committee should receive IAC briefings more regularly so members can track progress. The clerk read introductions for reappointments (Jackie McCormack; Jeremy Takala; Derek Bellegarde; Jay Luther Mills; Suzanne Salto), and the chair said the committee will vote on those reappointments at its Aug. 4 meeting.
The committee did not take a vote on the reappointments on July 21. The IAC and Department of Neighborhoods said they will return for additional briefings and that the city will continue interdepartmental work to turn the council’s recommendations into funded programs and projects.
