National Civic Review Highlights Seattle’s Commitment to Tribal and Urban Native Engagement

The Fall 2024 edition of the National Civic Review features an article titled "More Than a Land Acknowledgement: Authentic Tribal and Urban Native Engagement," which highlights the work of the City of Seattle's Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) and Francesca Murnan, the Department of Neighborhoods IAC Liaison.

The article highlights Seattle's evolving commitment to authentic and sustained Tribal and urban Native engagement, which includes moving beyond land acknowledgments and fostering real, actionable relationships with Indigenous communities. Central to these efforts is a revitalized Tribal Relations division that fosters a more robust and authentic government-to-government relationship to engage federally recognized Tribes as sovereign governments and regional partners.

The Indigenous Advisory Council, established as a culturally grounded advisory body to the City of Seattle, serves a vital role in ensuring Native voices are included in City processes, with members actively advising City departments on critical areas like planning, cultural placemaking, and ecological stewardship. The article also recounts significant moments, such as the inaugural City of Seattle | Tribal Nations Summit, which brought together Tribal and city leaders to address shared priorities, setting a historic precedent for meaningful government-to-government engagement.

Through these efforts, Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods and Office of Intergovernmental Relations, alongside other City departments, are fostering an approach that honors both the political and racial equity needs of Native communities. Seattle's Indigenous Advisory Council stands as an innovative example of how cities can support and empower Native communities at the local government level, ensuring that Indigenous voices continue to shape the region's future.

The National Civic Review is a quarterly publication of the National Civic League, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes civic engagement, community building, racial equity and inclusion, collaborative problem-solving and democratic governance among civic actors and thinkers.