30 Colleen Echohawk (she/her)

Colleen Echohawk is a community leader, who has dedicated her career to serve Indigenous people in Seattle,Washington. Echohawk is a member of the Pawnee Nation and the Athabaskan people and draws upon her own cultural heritage and lived experiences to create meaningful change while uplifting her community. Colleen Echohawk was born in 1976 in Fairbanks, Alaska. She currently lives in Seattle, Washington with her husband Matt Echohawk and their two children. Echohawk attended Antioch University in Seattle, where she obtained a masters degree in Organizational Leadership in 2013-2016.

Echohawk’s path towards community leadership began with her co-founding the Chief Seattle Club. Echohawk is now the executive director of The Seattle Club, a non-profit organization, dedicated to serving urban Native people based in the Seattle area. Echohawk excels in her leadership role in organizational services, providing affordable housing projects, mental health care support and educational opportunities to the community. She has been involved in advocating for social justice and equality needs for urban Native Americans. By uplifting Indigenous perspectives and values, she curated a supportive environment where individuals can recognize the importance of their cultural identities.

As of January 2022, Colleen Echohawk is the CEO of Eighth Generation, a Seattle-based company which specializes in creating and selling Native-designed products. Eighth Generation was founded in 2008 by Louie Gong, a member of the Nooksack Tribe, with the goal of promoting and celebrating Native American art and culture. He is known for his hand-drawn custom shoes before he partnered with Echohawk as the company CEO. Echohawk led the company in its mission to empower and support Native American artists and entrepreneurs. As CEO, Echohawk has been instrumental in driving the company’s success. She has overseen the development of new product lines, including textiles, home goods, and jewelry, all of which feature designs and artwork by Native American artists. Echohawk has also worked to build partnerships with a variety of Native-owned businesses and organizations, forming a network of support and collaboration within the community through her passion for promoting Native American art with recognition and respect.

Echohawk’s advocacy work reached new heights in 2021 when she ran for Mayor of Seattle, becoming the first Indigenous woman to do so. While she ultimately did not win the election, her campaign brought greater visibility to the issues facing urban Native Americans, including homelessness and affordable housing. Echohawk’s willingness to step into social and political issues demonstrates her commitment towards Native American voices and concerns being heard within the community.

Despite the demands of her leadership role, Echohawk remains a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights, ensuring Native voices are heard. With her dedication and commitment, she serves as a powerful example of leadership and service. Through her work, she continues to make lasting impacts on the lives of those she serves, with equality and inclusion at the forefront.