The 2021 Adeline Garcia Community Service Awards Week will take place online From March 22 to March 26, 2021 at 12:30–1:30 pm PST.
Celebrating Native Leadership
We are thrilled to host the Adeline Garcia Community Service Awards Week, a five-day virtual celebration of Indigenous leadership, creativity, knowledge, and courage. The Adeline Garcia Community Service Awards Week will feature a series of hour-long virtual events from Monday, March 22 to Friday, March 26. Each event will start at 12:30 p.m. and will be livestreamed from our Facebook page and YouTube channel.
The programs will give our friends and supporters a window into our work throughout the year. Highlights will include artist talks with performers from 2020’s “Indigenous People Festival––Seattle Is Native Land” and a discussion with SIHB Vice President Abigail Echo-Hawk about the dress she made that was recently featured in Vogue.
Investing in Native Health
Our fundraising goal for the week is $100,000. Funds raised will directly support our COVID-19 response as well as expansion projects that will broaden community access to our culturally attuned health and human services. Please help us meet our goal by contributing when you RSVP for the event. Our suggested minimum donation is $100, but all donations are welcome and appreciated.
If you are unable to join but would still like to support us, you can donate here. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or have any questions, please send us an email at contactdev@sihb.org.
Schedule of Events
Monday, March 22
A Healing Dress: Priya Frank interview with Abigail Echo-Hawk (Pawnee) about her body bag dress
Tuesday, March 23
Artist talk and performance by Mackenzie Nuesiok (Coharie)
Reflections on the Future of Indigenous Leadership: Abigail Echo-Hawk (Pawnee) interview with honoree Abriel Johnny (Cowichan/Tlingit)
Wednesday, March 24
Artist talk and performance by Jasmine Manuel (Laguna Pueblo/Hopi)
Indigenous Excellence in Healthcare: Esther Lucero (Diné) interview with honoree Dr. Terry Maresca (Mohawk)
Thursday, March 25
Artist talk and performance by Hailey Tayathee (Quileute)
Investing in Generations of Indigenous Leaders: Jania Garcia (Haida) interview with honoree Julie Johnson (Lummi)
Friday, March 26
50 Years by Hailey Tayathee (Quileute), Delia Gomez (Pascua Yaqui), and Clarissa Otterwoman Morninggun (Blackfeet/Yakama/Squamish)
Honoring Her Legacy: Esther Lucero (Diné) conversation with Jania Garcia (Haida) and Kimberly King (Haida) – daughters of Adeline Garcia.
2021 Recipients
Julie Johnson (Lummi)
Julie Sa’Leit’Sa’ Kwina Johnson is the Chair of the Native American Caucus (NAC) of the Washington State Democrats and Committeewoman of Clallam County Democrats. Committeewomen and Committeemen “vote” for the Counties at the three State Democrat meetings each year. She also holds the position of Co-Chair of the Native Vote Committee for the 58 Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians organization. As a young woman, Julie joined the American Indian Women’s Service League (AIWSL) and was elected the treasurer, where she was mentored by Adeline Garcia. She would later become president of AIWSL. She has spent decades advocating for health, education, treaty rights, policy, and funding for tribal and urban Indian communities. She has also volunteered 25 years of her life to numerous organizations and causes, including the National Indian Women’s “Supporting Each Other” Honoring Lunch in Washington DC, which recognizes the leadership and services of Native women across the country. The phrase “Supporting Each Other” was started by the volunteers of the AIWSL, Seattle Indian Health Board, Seattle Indian Center, United Indians of All Tribes, and Chief Seattle Club in the late 1960s. Julie has had an impact on a countless number of lives and continues to be a mentor and inspiration to all.
“It doesn’t matter what tribe you’re from or if you live in an urban area or on a reservation, we need to support each other.”
Dr. Terry Maresca (Mohawk)
Dr. Terry Maresca has been a staff doctor for tribal and urban Indian health programs across the country. She is currently on faculty for the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority’s Family Medicine Training Program and continues to work with residents at Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB). In 1997, she helped build SIHB’s Family Medicine Residency Program and continues to mentor and share her knowledge with the next generation of physicians. Maresca is an advocate and educator on Indigenous plant medicine and environmental restoration and has given hundreds of lectures on the topic. She helped build several medicinal gardens, including for Snoqualmie Tribe where she served as their medical director. She has taken on several national leadership roles, including President of the Association of American Indian Physicians (AAIP). She is the former director of the University of Washington Native American Center of Excellence. She continues to advocate for expanded Native curriculum and Native representation in the workforce and continues to be a leader and mentor for Native health professionals nationwide.
“As Tom Porter (a Mohawk faith keeper) said, ‘it is best to let your life’s actions speak on your behalf and keep following our original teachings.'”
Abriel Johnny (Cowichan/Tlingit)
Abriel Johnny is a Jingle dress dancer, fashion designer, and serves on the Board of Directors for United Indians of All Tribes Foundation. She is currently the Community and Tribal Engagement Manager at HealthierHere working to center tribal voice within healthcare policy in King County. Abriel has a B.A in Law and Policy from University of Washington—which she paid for in large part through her fashion and art sales—and she recently completed her Masters of Political Management from George Washington University. Abriel’s commitment to social justice, art and creativity, women’s leadership, and the health of urban Indian and tribal communities will continue to have an impact for many years to come.
“I am thankful to the amazing leaders before me who I will continue to learn and receive guidance from, and who’s knowledge I will share with the next generations.”
About the Adeline Garcia Community Service Awards
In Adeline Garcia’s memory, Seattle Indian Health Board started the annual Adeline Garcia Community Service Awards, where leaders in the region are recognized for the contribution toward Native issues in the community.
Adeline (Haida, Double Fin Killer Whale Clan) was a pioneer in urban Indian social causes and was a co-founding member of the American Indian Women’s Service League. She was the president and a board member of Seattle Indian Health Board, and we are proud to honor her legacy and commitment to Native people.
2021 Event Sponsors
Thank you to the 2021 sponsors. We’re so grateful for their continued partnership in support of Native health!
Cedar Level Sponsors
Sweetgrass Level Sponsors
Sage Level Sponsors
Additional Sponsors
Become a Sponsor
Sponsorships for the Adeline Garcia Community Service Awards allows us to continue holding an event that honors community leaders and Adeline Garcia’s legacy. Sponsors receive numerous benefits and recognition as partners in improving the health of our relatives (patients) and Native communities.
Sponsorship Levels
- $50,000 (North Star)
- $25,000 (Wild Rose)
- $10,000 (Longhouse Circle)
- $5,000 (Cedar)
- $2,500 (Sweetgrass)
- $1,000 (Sage)
Click here to see sponsorship level benefits. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, contact contactdev@sihb.org.
Check out the 2019 event
Seattle Indian Health Board honored three more leaders at the 2019 Adeline Garcia Community Service Awards for their contributions toward Native issues in the community.