WHERE HAVE WE BEEN? – NLitC 2021

Don’t miss the kick off of our “We’re. Still. Here.” speaker series! Monday’s live is an intimate conversation between our board’s Chairwoman, Abriel Johnny + Randy Lewis, an original fence jumper from the 1970 Fort Lawton Takeover, the protest that paved the way for UIATF’s existence.
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Randy Lewis needs no introduction. He is our board member for life, our inspiration, an original fence jumper, a sought-after storyteller, an honored Elder, and a tireless activist. I am proud to call him Uncle. He grew up on the Colville Reservation, came over the Cascades to continue his education, got involved in Native rights issues, and carried the torch for many battles, for many causes, and for many groups in Seattle in his 47 years here. He now lives in Wenatchee where he continues to educate and activate others as a consultant to the Colville Tribe and Chelan County. He narrated an inspired documentary, The Winter’s Tale and authored two books, including Red Star Blue Star Defeats Spexman.
Abriel Johnny chairs the board of United Indians of All Tribes. She is Cowichan and Tlingit. Abriel has deep roots at Daybreak Star. Her father, Abe, was one of the first over the wall during the Takeover of Fort Lawton in 1970. Activism is in her blood. If you’ve marched with her at a rally or protest, you know that she beads amazing masks of her own design. As an activist, she helps to make the shift from crisis-oriented responses to health and social problems to one that focuses on prevention, embraces recovery, and eliminates disparities for Indigenous people. Abriel earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Washington in Law and Policy and a Master’s degree in Political Management at George Washington University. We’re so proud of her!