Native Villages: Together, we are home.

Native American family members hold hands at the annual Sea Fair Indian Days Powwow held at Daybreak Star. Photo by Mel Ponder

A Culture of Belonging

Seattle and King County are home to more than 60,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives. Our community is among one of the fastest growing with an 86% population increase during the 2020 US Census.

Our vibrant community deserves a culture of urban belonging despite centuries of forced removal from our ancestral homelands. In urban centers, historic redlining and ongoing gentrification limit access to housing, services, and community connection. The decisive leadership of Seattle’s Native-led organizations continues to advocate for affordable housing and culturally relevant services.

Urban Native women drum and sing while marching to raise awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Photo by Mel Ponder.

home and economic empowerment services

Since 1972, among the City of Seattle's first Public Development Authorities, Seattle Indian Services Commission (SISC) has worked to create, acquire and preserve property assets for the Native community to reconnect and rebuild home.

SISC collaborates with our community to design Native Village projects that will provide holistic supportive family services and create economic opportunities for Native people while celebrating Native cultures. Our growing network of Native Villages brings the SISC vision of Native connection and urban belonging to life.

An urban Native family at Daybreak Star. Photo by Mel Ponder.

places for unity and cultural renewal

Seattle is the place we call home, bringing a diversity of Indigenous knowledge in sustainability, culture, and connection, forging strong socio-economic communities.

The Native Village projects will provide:

  • Affordable housing for families, workers, and students

  • Culturally informed daycare and early learning center

  • Hall of Ancestors, a community gathering space that pays tribute to generations of leaders

  • Economic Empowerment Center

  • Office and co-working space

  • Access to culturally responsive healthcare

A Coast Salish canoe family carry their canoe to shore during the Paddle to Puyallup annual Canoe Journeys. Photo by Mel Ponder.

caring for our relatives

Seattle Indian Services Commission is leveraging capital investments and federal, state, and local funding for a variety of mixed-use commercial and housing projects that will improve the livelihoods of Seattle’s urban Native community. Native Villages will include community gathering spaces that will provide healing through connection. Connect with SISC today to support our social impact and development efforts.

donate to build native villages