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Why more Native Americans are homeless in Seattle

caption: Colleen Echohawk, executive director of the Chief Seattle Club.
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Colleen Echohawk, executive director of the Chief Seattle Club.
KUOW Photo/Katherine Banwell

The number of Native Americans on King County streets is greater than ever. A recent survey found that there are more American Indians and Alaska Natives than a year ago.

Colleen Echohawk said there are many reasons for that, but the most important is that Natives are nervous about trusting the current system of finding houses for them.

Echohawk is the executive director of the Chief Seattle Club, a nonprofit that serves Native people in Seattle, including many of whom are homeless. She also serves on KUOW's Board of Directors. She spoke with Katherine Banwell of KUOW's Race and Equity team.

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