Full 2016 Platform

46^th DRAFT Tribal Relations & Sovereignty

Throughout U.S. history, government and corporate actions and policies rooted in white supremacy and colonialism resulted in the invisibility and marginalization of First Nations peoples. We recognize the contributions (past, present, and future) of the Coast Salish peoples to our district, city, and region, including the Suquamish, Tulalip, Duwamish, and Muckleshoot tribes. We also recognize the contributions of other American Indians whose many homelands represent the area known today as the United States, including Native Hawaiians, Alaskan Natives and Urban Indians.

We support:

1. Tribal Nations’ inherent sovereignty and right to self-governance, self-determination and self-sufficiency
2. The decisions of American Indian nations and tribal governments and affirm their rights derived from treaties and state compacts
3. Elevating the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs to a cabinet-level position as recognition of the U.S. government-to-government relationship with Tribal governments
4. The acknowledgement that American Indians include Urban Natives: those who are not federally-recognized due to the Urban Indian Relocation Act of 1952; children lost to adoption prior to the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978; Tribal members dis-enrolled; First Nations from Canada and the Americas; and the U.S. policy to terminate Indian Tribes from the mid-1940s through the mid-1960s
5. Increased funding for the Indian Health Service, particularly for the Urban Indian Health Program which receives ~1% of the agency’s annual budget even though three-quarters of American Indians reside in urban areas
6. Increased funding for the Seattle Indian Health Board
7. Affordable housing policies that end the displacement of Urban Indians, which makes urban-based services (including traditional supports) inaccessible to many
8. Increased funding, supports and services addressing the disproportionate rates of homelessness among Urban Natives.
9. The demilitarization of law enforcement and increased accountability for abusive practices against indigenous peoples
10. Full funding for the Violence Against Women Act and the provision of judicial training on the Act's Indian provisions such as Full Faith and Credit
11. Judicial training on the federal Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 and the Washington State Indian Child Welfare Act of 2013 to prevent the loss of children's Native ties and identity
12. Acknowledgement of the high and disproportionate push-out/drop-out rate of Native students and increased efforts, including data collection done in consultation with indigenous peoples and communities, that identify multiracial American Indian students to address funding and programmatic gaps
13. The inclusion of American Indians in education summits put on by state, county, regional and local governments, and increased funding for tribal colleges
14. Aggressive reduction of carbon emissions and a moratorium on new fossil fuel infrastructures to protect indigenous rights and resources for future generations, including those dependent on traditional foods and medicines
15. The restoration of urban streams to protect salmon, flora, and other fauna and the maintenance and repair of culverts that threaten salmon runs
16. The preservation and protection of historic, cultural and religious sites
17. The non-transfer of the Federal trust responsibility to Urban Natives upon their departure from their Tribal lands, which results in the systematic marginalization of Urban Natives from Tribal systems and resources
18. Restoring Federal recognition of the Duwamish Tribe

We oppose:

1. Any attempt to diminish Tribal sovereignty or Tribal Treaty Rights
2. The racist use of "Indian mascots" in sports