The Adeline Garcia Community Service Awards is a gala event that honors dedicated leaders who have sustained the urban Native community. On March 27, we’ll gather to honor those who represent the past, present, and future of leadership in our Indigenous community. Join us in celebrating community, honoring legacy, and uplifting Native health for generations to come.
Stay tuned for more information on auction items!
About the Adeline Garcia Community Service Awards
Adeline Garcia (Haida, Double Fin Killer Whale Clan) was a beloved community leader and advocate for urban Native people in Seattle. As a co-founding member of the American Indian Women’s Service League, she also served as our board president, among numerous other roles in the community.
In 2010, the Seattle Indian Health Board established the annual Adeline Garcia Community Service Awards, honoring regional leaders for their contributions to Native issues in the Seattle-King County area. We’re proud to honor Adeline’s commitment to Native people by recognizing those who carry on her legacy of service.
Register today to secure your seat at the awards gala. If you are interested in sponsoring the upcoming Adeline Garcia Community Services Awards, please email wayneh@sihb.org.
Past Awardees
2025
- Nichole Maher, CEO of Inatai Foundation
- Girmay Zahilay, King County Executive, Sound Transit Board member, and nonprofit founder
- Dr. Ben Danielson, Pediatrician and Clinical Professor at University of Washington
2024
- Nick D. Lewis (Lummi), Chairman of the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
- Bob Ferguson, Washington State Attorney General
- Red Eagle Soaring Native Youth Theatre
2023
- Chair Teri Gobin (Tulalip), Chairwoman of the Tulalip Tribes Board of Directors
- Brad Finegood, Strategic Advisor for Public Health – Seattle & King County
- Rep. Chris Stearns (Navajo), Representative for Washington’s 47th legislative district.
- Special Recognition: US Senator Patty Murray, US Representative Pramila Jayapal, King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay
2022
- Aubony Burns (Choctaw), Senior
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, King
County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office - Native Action Network
- Sarah Sense-Wilson (Oglala), elected Chair for the Urban Native Education Alliance
- Teresita Ignacio Batayola, President
and CEO, International Community
Health Services
2021/2020
- Julie Johnson (Lummi), Chair, Native American Caucus of the Washington State Democrats
- Dr. Terry Maresca (Mohawk), Physician, Seattle Indian Health Board
- Abriel Johnny (Cowichan/Tlingit), Chair of the Board of Directors, United Indian of All Tribes Foundation
2019
- Debora Juarez (Blackfeet), Councilmember, City of Seattle
- Richard Peterson (Tlingit), President, Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska
- Patsy Whitefoot (Yakama/Diné), Educator, MMIWG Activist
2018
- Marilyn Scott (Upper Skaggit), Vice Chair, Upper Skagit Tribe
- Steve Kutz (Cowlitz), Chair, American Indian Health Commission
- Colleen EchoHawk-Hayashi (Pawnee/Athabascan), Executive Director, Chief Seattle Club
2017
- William Hall (Tlingit), Native community HIV advocate
- Rita Stewart, Office of Senator Maria Cantwell
- David Escame, Associate Vice President of Marketing, Amerigroup Washington
2016
- Roger Fernandes (Lower Elwha S’Klallam), Native Artist/Teacher/Storyteller
- Abe Johnny (Cowichan First Nations), United Indians of All Tribes Foundation
2015
- Richard Mar, Volunteer, Seattle Indian Health Board
- Andrew Morrison (Haida/Apache), Native Artist
- Bruce Harrell, City Councilman
2014
- Ken Colling, CEO, Goodwill Industries
- Robert Van Burkleo, Volunteer, Seattle Indian Health Board
- Jenny Brower, Volunteer, Seattle Indian Health Board
2013
- Claudia Kauffman (Nez Perce), Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison, Muckleshoot Tribe
- Louie Gong (Nooksack), Native Artist/Teacher
- Jonathan Sugarman, MD, President and CEO, Qualis Health
2012
- Zoe Higheagle Strong (Nez Perce), Executive Director, WA Chapter Hope Worldwide
- Mac Strong, Retired National Football League Player, Seattle Seahawks, Volunteer, Seattle Indian Health Board
- Johnpaul Jones (Choctaw/Cherokee), Partner, Jones & Jones Architects
- Ernest Kimball, MPH, Board Member, Qualis Health
- Fred Lauth, Board President, Cape Fox Corporation
- Mary Wilber (Okanagan/Osoyoos Indian Band), Native Education Coordinator, Eastside Native Indian Education Program
2011
- Bill Shaul, MD, Emeritus Board Member, Seattle Indian Health Board
- Roberta Hallam, Southcentral Foundation
2010
- Carole Hennessey, Volunteer, Seattle Indian Health Board
- Peter Ali, Volunteer, Seattle Indian Health Boardr
- Leah Rei, Aon Benefits
- Ben Weber, Volunteer, Seattle Indian Health Board
- Cecile Hanson (Duwamish), Chairwoman, Duwamish Tribe
- Terrence Danysh, Emeritus Board Member, Seattle Indian Health Board
- Jill Marsden, Emeritus Board Member, Seattle Indian Health Board
- Eveline Takahashi, Emeritus Board Member, Seattle Indian Health Board
- R. Dale Walker (Cherokee), MD, Director, One Sky Center, Emeritus Board Member, Seattle Indian Health Board