North Seattle, Washington – From April 16-18, 2013, the Wilson-Pacific School hosted the Seattle Clear Sky 3rd Annual Native Youth Conference. For three days, keynote speakers, storytellers, musicians, teachers, and artists offered a wealth of indigenous knowledge, education, and culture, fostering unconditional support for all children in need of guidance, direction, and creative freedom. This year’s theme, “The Good Road of Life,” celebrated the strengths and achievements of Seattle’s youth.
The event, held at the Wilson-Pacific campus—home to the American Indian Heritage Middle College High School—also served as a rallying point for the community, raising awareness about Seattle Public Schools' decision to demolish the historic building. This decision threatens a 40-year legacy of tribal continuity, athleticism, and indigenous-based education, as well as the destruction of murals by Native American artist Andrew Morrison.
Native Education Lacks Support from Seattle School Board
Before the approval of the $695 million Capital Levy (Proposition 2) in February 2013, the Native American community had been advocating for justice. Despite the levy’s promise to improve the educational future of Seattle’s children, it jeopardizes Native American academic support services by cutting the Indian Heritage Program at Wilson-Pacific.
Jose Banda, with just nine months as Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, determined that moderate structural improvements to the aging Wilson-Pacific building were not worth the investment. School board members further justified the demolition by citing the decreasing number of Native American students, suggesting the building should be replaced with a modern facility to meet 21st-century demands. However, to North Seattle residents and community supporters, this decision desecrates the values of Wilson-Pacific and American Indian heritage.
On July 3, 2012, at his first board meeting at the Seattle Public Schools John Stanford Center, Banda was confronted by concerned parents and teachers, including the Seattle Clear Sky Native Youth Council. They voiced their opposition to the Capitol Levy and the demolition of Wilson-Pacific. Banda’s initial agenda item involved the demolition of the building and the relocation of students, teachers, and staff to Middle College High School at Northgate Mall, situated above a transient center near Macy’s.
According to the Seattle Public Schools website, Banda was selected for his visionary leadership, instructional expertise, managerial knowledge, and effective communication. However, many parents were dissatisfied with Banda’s approach. What especially angered the community was that he never consulted with Wilson-Pacific affiliates or visited the site. Local mural artist Andrew Morrison expressed his frustration, saying, “The fact that not one public school official approached me or consulted others about this building says everything about their mentality.”
The Fight Continues
Chris Jackins, co-chair of the Seattle Committee to Save Schools, has witnessed this scenario too many times. A Ballard High School graduate from the 1990s, Jackins recalls how he and his peers fought to save their school from demolition after Seattle Public Schools diverted funds meant for its renovation. Despite gathering over 1,000 signatures and mobilizing community support, Ballard High was ultimately torn down.
Jackins believes that the school district should invest in the existing community rather than displace it. He argues, “When the district opens large schools, it’s a deliberate and cheaper way to run the system by closing nearby schools and consolidating students. This disrupts neighborhood systems and radically changes how children learn and how teachers teach.”
When asked about what could prevent the demolition, Jackins responded, “Money seems to be the driving force behind the Indian Heritage issue. But I don’t believe these awful things need to happen. The school district doesn’t always win.”
Sarah Sense-Wilson, an Oglala Sioux born and raised in Seattle, has been deeply involved with Indian Heritage since 1995-96. Now the Coordinator for the Clear Sky Youth Council and Chairwoman of the Urban Native Education Alliance (UNEA), she has dedicated herself to empowering urban Native youth. “We have opposed this demolition from the start,” Sense-Wilson says. “This is an act of cultural genocide. Disrupting our program will sever the cultural continuity of these children and our people.”
Native Artist Fights to Save His Murals
The demolition will also destroy the historic murals by Andrew Morrison (Haida/Apache), which have become a significant cultural resource for the Pacific Northwest. Since 2001, Morrison’s murals, which adorn the Wilson-Pacific campus, have honored the past, present, and future of the Native community. His work has captured the hearts of his peers and elders, who champion his efforts to preserve their heritage.
Morrison has become increasingly frustrated with Seattle Public Schools’ handling of his murals. Although it is common to relocate artwork for public display, Morrison is troubled by the district’s decision to digitally reproduce his work without his consent. “The reason I’ve excluded myself from public officials on this issue is because they’ve blatantly lied to my face about preserving my murals,” Morrison explains. “First of all, digitally reproducing my work is a joke!”
As the community braces for the radical changes ahead, Morrison remains resolute. “The district underestimates my knowledge, common sense, and dedication,” he says. “They may believe they can erase our presence, but I am an artist, and my work will continue to speak for itself.”
© 2013 Ramon Shiloh
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