Social Justice Advocate Abigail Echo-Hawk Receives AASCU’s 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award

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Kellee Edmonds
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PUERTO RICO, November 18, 2024 - The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) today presented Abigail Echo-Hawk (Pawnee) with its 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award. Echo-Hawk accepted the award during AASCU's 2024 Annual Conference for Presidents and Chancellors, taking place this week in Puerto Rico.

Echo-Hawk, a two-time graduate of the University of Washington Bothell, has dedicated her career to championing the health and well-being of Indigenous communities. As executive vice president of the Seattle Indian Health Board and director of its research division, the Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI), Echo-Hawk is a fierce advocate for Indigenous justice and equity. She is revolutionizing the integration of Indigenous knowledge within public health systems and reshaping how governments, institutions, and medical professionals approach health for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Echo-Hawk is a leading voice in the missing and murdered Indigenous women and people (MMIWP) crisis. She has co-authored reports that have brought national attention to the data issues and the staggering number of MMIWP cases in 71 urban cities across the U.S. Her groundbreaking research and tireless advocacy have led to important policy changes, including 12 states creating MMIWP task forces, and two federal acts being signed into law: The Not Invisible Act and Savanna's Act.

"I am deeply honored to receive this award from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities," said Echo-Hawk. "This award is a reminder of the impact that can be achieved when we elevate Indigenous voices and advocate for accurate, respectful representation in education, research, and data. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this work and remain committed to advancing justice and ensuring the well-being of Native people."

University of Washington Bothell Chancellor Kristin G. Esterberg nominated Echo-Hawk.

"It was my privilege to nominate Abigail Echo-Hawk for this award. She is an extraordinary example of our alumni who become leaders in our region and drive efforts in equity, locally and nationally," said Esterberg. "UW Bothell is extremely proud of Echo-Hawk's work as an advocate for Indigenous people. She is a paragon of our mission to enhance the quality of life throughout our region, and we are honored to have her as a two-time UW Bothell alum."

In 2011, Echo-Hawk was recognized by UW Bothell as a Distinguished Alumna for her work advocating for women's health and closing the gap in health disparities in infant mortality for women in Seattle.

"We are proud to honor Abigail Echo-Hawk with AASCU's 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award," said Charles L. Welch, AASCU's president and CEO. "She is the embodiment of how our dedicated member institutions create generations of strong leaders who are change agents in their chosen fields."

Echo-Hawk serves on the National Institutes of Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Public Health Data National Commission committees and is a member of the Native American Women's Dialogue on Infant Mortality, the Center for Indigenous Law and Justice, and the Coalition to End Gender-Based Violence. She also served on a number of scientific research committees for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which oversaw the development of a framework for an equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Each year, AASCU recognizes graduates of AASCU institutions who have achieved acclaim in their fields and who have made significant contributions to the public, intellectual, or cultural life of the nation. Past DAA honorees include Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot; Paul J. LeBlanc, former president of Southern New Hampshire University; NASA astronaut Richard R. Arnold II; and Al Roker, weather and feature anchor of NBC News' TODAY.

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The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association that represents the sector of over 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to underrepresented student populations, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions' economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions delivering America's promise.

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