Spotlighting impact makers | Microsoft Puget Sound
Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center
In the heart of Seattle’s Discovery Park stands the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, a beacon of hope and renewal for Native Americans in the Puget Sound region. Founded in 1970 by the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation (UIATF), this cultural center has become a focal point for the renewal and regeneration of indigenous heritage and community.
UIATF’s story began with a bold act of courage led by Bernie Whitebear and a group of Northwest Native Americans and their supporters. They occupied Fort Lawton, reclaiming a land base for urban Indians living in and around Seattle. This act of resilience and determination laid the foundation for what would become a thriving cultural and social services organization.
Today, UIATF continues to honor its mission by providing educational, cultural, and social services that reconnect indigenous people to their heritage. The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center serves as a home for these efforts, offering a space where Native Americans can gather, celebrate, and strengthen their sense of belonging.
Shameka Gagnier honors the organization’s mission and vision by tirelessly dedicating themself to reconnecting Indigenous people with their heritage and fostering a sense of belonging and significance. Gagnier carries diverse bloodlines, with roots in the Purépecha, Ecuador, and Colombia, and works to bridge these intersections in ways that honor cultural resilience and collective healing.
As a multimedia artist, Gagnier excels in wood carving, metalsmithing, printmaking, performance art, music-making, and gardening, creating spaces where art and community unite. Their work with the Black Well Red Thread Collective brings transformative multimedia installations to life, always incorporating community voices and cultural narratives.
In addition to their artistry, Gagnier is a dedicated environmentalist and steward of the land. They contribute their skills and energy to maintaining the grounds of the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, including significant work in the medicine garden. From building walkways to nurturing the land, Gagnier ensures that the environment embodies the strength and beauty of the community. Their efforts support the cultural and spiritual practices of those who visit, reinforcing the deep connection between land, culture, and identity.
One of the center’s most impactful programs, the Uŋčí Makhá Home Visiting program, has grown significantly under the leadership of CEO Mike Tulee. Since 2016, the program has expanded from serving 11 individual participants to 69 families within the Native American and Pacific Islander communities. This growth reflects UIATF’s commitment to supporting families and fostering a strong, interconnected community.
In 2025, UIATF will break ground on the United Indians of All Tribes Northwest Coast Canoe Center, an extension of the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center. This new facility will further the organization’s mission to celebrate and preserve cultural heritage and traditions, bringing greater recognition to the Native American community.
Through its dedication to cultural resilience and community empowerment, the United Indians of All Tribes Northwest continues to make a profound impact, ensuring that the rich heritage and traditions of Native Americans are honored and preserved for future generations.
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