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RESOLUTION

WHEREAS: SEATTLE HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN A MAJOR CENTER FOR AN INDIAN AND ALASKAN NATIVE POPULATION CURRENTLY IN EXCESS OF 12,000;

WHEREAS: THESE 12,000 INDIAN AND ALASKAN NATIVE PEOPLE DO NOT OWN ONE SQUARE INCH OF PROPERTY IN SEATTLE AS A LAND BASE FOR THE SOLUTION OF THEIR SOCIAL, CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS, AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS; 

WHEREAS: THE INDIAN TRIBES OF THE POINT ELLIOT TREATY HAVE NEVER RECEIVED JUST COMPENSATION FOR THE LAND CEDED IN 1855, WHILE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BROKEN SAID TREATY BY ABROGATING MANY OF THE PROVISIONS THEREIN; 

WHEREAS: FORT LAWTON, AN ACTIVE MILITARY BASE BEING DELCAARED SURPLUS BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IS CONNECTED TO THE CITY OF SEATTLE AND IS COVERED BY THE POINT ELLIOT TREATY; AND 

WHEREAS: THE CITY OF SEATTLE WANTS THE LAND TO CREATE YET ANOTHER PUBLIC PARK, TO ADD TO THE 46 EXISTING PARKS IN THE CITY, WHILE UNITED INDIANS ALL TRIBES IS SEEKING TO CREATE ON THE LAND AT FORT LAWTON A MAJOR SERVICE CENTER FOR THE INDIAN AND ALASKAN NATIVE COMMUNITY;

BE IT RESOLVED: THAT THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS MEETING IN ANNUAL CONVENTION HEREBY RECOGNIZES THE TREATY RIGHT IN RESPECT TO THE LAND IN QUESTION OF THE TRIBES OF WESTERN WASHINGTON, AND FURTHER RECOGNIZES THE MORAL RIGHT AND PHYSICAL NEED OF THE INDIAN AND ALASKAN NATIVE INHABITANTS OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, TO USE OF SAID PROPERTY (KNOWN AS FORT LAWTON) FOR CREATION OF A MULTI-PRRPOSE CULTURAL, VOCATIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER.

BET IT FURTHER RESOLVED: THAT THE NATIONAL CONGRESS OF AMERICAN INDIANS HEREBY REQUESTS THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, MR. LOUIS BRUCE, TO CAUSE THE TRANSFER OF FORT LAWTON FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR IMMEDIATELY UPON ITS BEING DECLARED SURPLUS BY THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE BY THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH URBAN INDIAN AND TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS AND COUNCILS IN THE SEATTLE AREA.