What does a big hole, an abandoned school, a military base, and fourteen American Indian leaders have in common? They all mark the beginning of a vision.

The American Indian Ambassadors Class of 2003/04 is the eighth class to graduate from the AIO program envisioned by LaDonna and cultivated by Laura Harris.

“A lot of projects will be finished by your grandchildren and your great-grandchildren,” Washington State Representative John McCoy (Tulalip) imparted to the Ambassadors at their final gathering in Seattle, Wash. during September.

Quil Ceda Village (once a big hole in the earth), El Centro de la Raza (an abandoned school), and Daybreak Star (a former military base) were three symbolic stops during the gathering. Quil Ceda Village was conceived in the 1950’s by Rep. John McCoy, now the General Manager, and other tribal members after the state constructed an interstate through the Tulalip’s land, leaving a huge hole from where dirt was dug up.

Today, that hole is a federal city (the only other one besides Washington, D.C.) and a thriving commercial center/economic stimulus for the Tulalip community. The abandoned Beacon Hill School, near downtown Seattle, was peacefully occupied by Roberto Maestas and others in 1972 and has been transformed into El Centro de la Raza, translated as The Center of the People. In 1970, Bernie Whitebear led an invasion and occupation of Fort Lawton military base and founded the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation (UIATF). Board member, Randy Lewis, explained that the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center was constructed by the UIATF, opening in 1977.

The message to be a visionary resonated with every participant in Seattle, including the Advancement of Maori Opportunity who joined AIO. Having been an integral part of the ‘03/04 class, AMO Ambassadors participated in the first gathering and hosted the third in New Zealand. For the Seattle gathering, they carried their guitar and serenaded all along the way. Stopping at the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club, little boys pounded their chests emulating the Maori men performing the Haka.

The Pacific Coast sang back at Bridging the Pacific, an international exchange of Indigenous music and dance. Janeen Comenote (Quinault/ Hesquiaht/Oglala Lakota) ‘99 was the production manager for the concert that featured the Rangimarie Maori Cultural Group, the Hon. Cecile Hansen of the Duwamish Tribe, the Tsimpshian Haayuuk Dancers, the Tulalip Canoe Family, and many others who contributed to the experience. Mary Jo Butterfield (AIO Board) and family made up the Makah Kallappa Dance Family. She honored AIO’s President, Executive Director and her fellow board member joking, “Elma (Patterson) was put on the AIO board in 1975 and I in 1977, now we are 75 and 77.” The Museum of History and Industry’s auditorium was filled with the beat of the drum and the sacred presence of the Venerable Lama Karma Samten. The Lama stated it was an accident he was present in Seattle for the celebration, but LaDonna smiled, “I don’t believe in accidents.”

Welcomed encounters continued. Ms Cynthia Renfro of the Marguerite Casey Foundation joined AIO and AMO, this time in Seattle. Cynthia had “accidentally” become acquainted with both organizations in Aotearoa. Both Cynthia and her colleague, Ms. Chantel Walker, joined the group for the final discussion - Envisioning the Future. Chantel shared the Foundation’s mission, “It takes courage to lift up your voice when things aren’t right and those in power have not been responsive. But those who speak out can inspire their communities to stand up for what is fair and just in order to make a better life for families everywhere.”

What is to emerge from this group of American Indian Ambassadors? The first class to be inducted into the newly formed Ambassador Alliance. The first to have a formal network in place, acting as a source of renewal and support. With the essence of reciprocity lingering, the Ambassadors at their graduation ceremony gifted original photographs taken by Richard Blue Cloud Castaneda (Pima/ Maricopa Salt River), Hanohano Naehu (Native Hawaiian) summed up his experience in the program with an original song/rap. The night emitted possibilities.

Letter from the President