CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION calling for review of current methods for collecting data on Native Communities, and potential strategies for improving such data collection, and exploration of the need for capacity-building for organizations seeking to assist Native Communities.
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WHEREAS, over 150 years ago, Chief Seattle and the Coast Salish peoples governed the Puget Sound region; and
WHEREAS, Chief Seattle’s legacy of environmental protection, and indigenous people’s rights, established the foundation for the City of Seattle’s modern-day government; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seattle is home today to a large and growing population of American Indians and Alaskan Natives (“Native Communities”); and
WHEREAS, Native Communities face disproportionate levels of homelessness, poverty, and adverse health conditions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that Native Communities deserve the dedicated attention of City policymakers to begin addressing these significant social issues, and in response, during the creation of Council committees for 2018, included Native Communities in the title of the Civic Development, Public Assets, and Native Communities Committee; and
WHEREAS, the Civic Development, Public Assets, and Native Communities Committee will work with local community partners and service providers to raise awareness of and explore solutions to local issues affecting Native Communities, including: housing affordability, health and mental health conditions, access to justice, youth services, tribal engagement, and historic preservation; and
WHEREAS, enhancing the collection of data on Native Communities has been recognized as a key issue to be examined, as data are critical to identifying and more effectively addressing many of the issues faced by Native Communities; and
WHEREAS, Resolution 31613, adopted by the Council in September 2015, requested that a Demographic Data Task Force be formed to develop recommendations and strategies for improving the collection of demographic data, including standardizing the disaggregation of demographic data across City departments for communities for which more specific racial data categories are important; and
WHEREAS, the Demographic Data Task Force issued recommendations on data collection and dissemination that are being implemented, but further review of the collection of data for Native Communities is warranted to determine if there are further efforts needed to fill identified gaps; and
WHEREAS, there may also be a need for capacity-building for organizations seeking to assist Native Communities to implement solutions to local issues; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The Seattle City Council’s Civic Development, Public Assets, and Native Communities Committee will work with the appropriate City and County executive departments, community partners, and service providers to:
A. Review current methods for collecting, disseminating, and using data on American Indians and Alaskan Natives (“Native Communities”); and identify strategies for improving the collection of data if gaps exist. These data will be used to more effectively understand and address issues facing Native Communities; and
B. Explore whether additional capacity-building assistance is needed to help organizations seeking to assist Native Communities to implement solutions to local issues.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2018, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2018.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2018.
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Jenny A. Durkan, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2018.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)