Community-Based Solutions for Environmental & Economic Justice - Magnuson Health Sciences Center

1. 4th Annual Conference:
Community-Based Solutions for
Environmental & Economic Justice
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
May 7th, 2005, 9 am - 6 pm
University of Washington
Magnuson Health Sciences Center
1705 NE Pacific St
Seattle, WA 98105
keynote
speakers
Carrie Dann Dr. Owens Wiwa
Western Shoshone Nigerian Political
Activist

2. 4th Annual Community-Based Solutions for
Environmental & Economic Justice
Conference Proceedings
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements…………………………………………………………………………………………..3-5
CCEJ/Conference Background……………………………………………………………………………..6
Indigenous Peoples & Environmental Justice ………………………………………………………7
Rural Environment & Economic Justice………………………………………………………………9
Urban Environmental & Economic Justice………………………………………………………..10
Youth Organizing & Environmental Justice……………………………………………………….13
Globalization, Indigenous Peoples & People of Color………………………………………14
Brownfields: How Communities Can Reclaim Land…………………………………………16
Conference Attendees, Endorsers & Participating Organizations…..……………….18

3. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 3
Acknowledgments
A very special thank you to the following volunteers who helped
make the conference happen!
We couldn’t have done it without your
enthusiasm and commitment.
Elijah Akins, CCEJ Board Karen Matsumoto
Clara Berridge Morna McEachern
Jonathan Betz-Zall, CCEJ Board Berthena Meno, CCEJ Staff
Megan Bott Indi McCasey
Shelly Cater Dave McGraw, CCEJ Board
Minh Chau Le Cathy Nyrkkanen
Jenni Conrad Emily Paddison
Eva Dale Alice Park, CCEJ Board
Diane Dent Kristin Poppo
Linn Gould KL Shannon
Mike Graham-Squire Tyrus Smith, CCEJ Board
Canda Harbaugh Jane Steadman
Karna Humphrey Rob Thoms
K Hutchison Lambert Rochfort
Katie Johnston Goodstar Katie Thorsos
Lila Kitaeff Joyce Tseng
Jess Long Sylvia Villarreal
Jeremy Louzao Scott Winn
Jasmine Luo
Thank you to the following organizations and businesses that
helped make our conference a success:
AFSC/University Friends Meeting Hall Madison Market
Albertson’s on Aurora Noah’s Bagels
Café Mam Pepperspray Productions
Central Market Real Change Newspaper
Classroom Services University Motel
Essential Bakery Café UW Health Sciences Bldg
Heroe’s Subs/Bread of Life Mission

4. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 4
Acknowledgements continued
Thank you to the following speakers, presenters and moderators.
Keynote Speakers
Carrie Dann, a Western Shoshone activist, has been at the forefront of the West
ern Shoshone Nations struggle for land rights and sovereignty. Dann has squared off
against international gold mining corporations, the nuclear Industry and the US gov
ernment. Dann has received numerous awards including the 1993 International Right
Livelihood Award. Dann is the subject of countless film documentaries, articles and
books; she is considered a living legend in the struggles of Native Americans.
Dr. Owens Wiwa, a political activist, has documented human rights abuse perpe
trated against the Ogoni people by the Nigerian Army, as well as environmentally
related diseases among the Ogoni people as a result of Shell Oil Company’s takeover
of Ogoni land for drilling. Dr. Wiwa is a spirited warrior and an inspiration to all who
love and cherish freedom. His unbroken will is a guiding light to all African people in
the Motherland and abroad.
Conference Openers
Debbie Guerrero, Native Wellness
Research Center
Cecile Hansen, Duwamish Tribe
Elmer Makua, Tsongass Conserva-
tion Society
Laura “Piece” Kelley, Powerful Debbie Guerrero sang “The Honor Song” at
Voices the conference opening.
Ticiang Diangson & Helena Stevens, CCEJ “founding mothers”
Workshop Presenters & Moderators
Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Justice
Moderator: Katie Johnston Goodstar
Presenters:
Janet Daniels, Alaska Community Action on Toxics, Indigenous Environmental
Network
Carrie Dann, Activist for the Western Shoshone Nations
Shelly Vendiola, Program and Campaign Director for Indigenous Environmental
Network (IEN), Board of Director for IEN

5. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 5
CCEJ “founding mothers” Helena Stevens (left) and Ticiang Diangson be-
gin the day with reflections on the founding of CCEJ.
Rural Environmental & Economic Justice
Moderator: Juan Jose Bocanegra
Presenters:
Ricardo Garcia, Radio Cadena
Rosalinda Guillen, United Farm Workers of America
Daniel Morfin, United Farmworkers Union
Urban Environmental & Economic Justice
Moderator: Alice Park
Presenters:
Naomi Finklestein, Member, Yesler Terrace Community
Eddie Rye, Community Coalition for Contracts & Jobs
Wanda Saunders, NW Labor & Employment Law Office (LELO)
Youth Organizing & Environmental Justice
Moderator: Thu Huong Nguyen
Presenters:
Wilderness Inner City Leadership Development
Environmental Justice Youth Advocates
Seattle Young Peoples Project
Globalization, Indigenous Peoples & People of Color
Moderator: Tyrus Smith
Presenters:
Che Lopez, Southwest Workers Union
Yago Martinez, Filipino Workers Action Center
Robert Free Galvan, Tribal Connections
Brownfields: How Communities Can Reclaim Land
Moderator: Yalonda Sinde
Presenters:
Lucy Auster, King County Solid Waste Division, Brownfields Program
Pat Chemnick, Southeast Effective Development (SEED)
William Teasley, Brownfields Institute Corporation
Ryan Kellogg, Tacoma Pierce County Dept of Health

6. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 6
Community-Based Solutions for Environmental & Economic Justice
Conference Background
The mission of CCEJ is to achieve environmental and economic justice in low-income commu-
nities and communities of color. CCEJ is a multi-racial, multi-issue, grass-roots, and non-profit
group that was founded in 1993.
The vision for the annual conference came from the Leadership
Committee of the Northwest Environmental & Economic Justice Alliance.
NEEJA was originally convened by CCEJ in March 2000 at the
Environmental Justice 2000 Conference coordinated by Washington State
University in Pullman, WA. CCEJ serves as fiscal agent and
provides staff support to NEEJA.
Northwest Environmental &
Economic Justice Alliance
NEEJA is an alliance of indigenous groups and urban and rural
environmental justice activist s fighting environmental racism in the Pacific Northwest. The
mission of NEEJA is to unite and empower indigenous peoples and people of color grassroots
organizations to speak for ourselves and build solidarity in the environmental, economic, politi-
cal and social justice movements for the preservation of Mother Earth for our families & future
generations.
The original aim of the conference was to educate the public about environmental injustice is-
sues in the Northwest and to help provide communities with effective tools to create environ-
mental justice. With this goal still in mind, the CCEJ conference has grown to become a net-
working gathering for indigenous groups and rural and urban environmental justice activists
from the Northwest and across the country.
Next year’s conference is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 29th at Seattle University.
To learn more, contact CCEJ Staff at (206) 720-0285.
CCEJ’s newest board member, Joyce Tseng, welcomes
conference attendees at the registration table.

7. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 7
Indigenous Peoples & Environmental Justice
Workshop I(A) Notes
Moderator: Katie Johnston Goodstar
Presenters: Janet Daniels, Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT), The Indige-
nous Environmental Network (IEN)
Carrie Dann, Western Shoshone Defense Project
Shelly Vendiola, Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN)
Janet Daniels is the co-chair of the Alaska
Community Action on Toxics (ACAT). The
ACAT was formed in 1997 and fights to
eliminate industrial and military chemicals.
Its mission is to ensure that everyone has a
right to a clean environment. Daniels is also
a volunteer for the Indigenous Environmental
Netowrk (IEN) and Chickaloon Village and a
national board member for the Military
Toxics Project.
Janet discussed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and Eagle River Flats.
Congress passed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and gave money and one
reservation to natives. The ANCSA exterminated legal right to ownership of land and made it
difficult to obtain a land title.
ACAT is involved in protecting an estuary in Eagle River Flats, near Anchorage. There is mili-
tary ammunition testing near the estuary and thousands of dead water fowl and ducks have been
found. A study revealed that the deaths were due to white phosphorus, which is linked to the
military testing.
ACAT, Military Toxics Project, Cook Inlet, and national organizations have started to work to
protect the Chickaloon estuary and address the problems created by the ammunition testing.
This coalition of groups tried to engage the military in dialogue for six years. Finally an ally
who won a previous case agreed to represent the organizations and filed suit against the military
for violation of the Clean Water Act. After three years of negotiations, the military agreed to
apply for EPA permits, comply with the Clean Water Act and to monitor fish and wildlife. The
native people didn't win everything, but they won some concessions. As a last statement, Janet
said, "Perseverance is what changes the world."
Carrie Dann is a Western Shoshone activist who 's been fighting with her sister, Mary, for the
rights of her people and against injustices for more than four decades.
Carrie discussed land rights being taken away from the Western Shoshone Nation. In 1863 the
US government agreed that the land belonged to the Western Shoshone Nation and that they

8. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 8
Carrie stated that when the government began this war against the Danns, they tried to take
away their dignity. Racism is prevalent in the government. Carrie can never understand why
the federal government is so afraid of Indigenous people. Carrie asked the question, “Why
would democracy work in Iraq and Afghanistan if it does not work here in the country for its
own Indigenous people?" For Carrie and the Western Shoshone people, land is called the gift
of life, and the government calls it "resources".
Shelly Vendiola is Swinomish, Lummi, and Visayan. She is the Program and Campaign Direc-
tor at Indigenous Environmental Network. The IEN was formed in 1989 as a grassroots organi-
zation that helps indigenous nations stand up against corporations and any national policy that
harms the health of the environment and indigenous people.
Shelly discussed persistent organic pollutants, how the corporate construct puts people last and
profits first and the effects on native peoples. Shelly showed a film entitled, “POP’s.” which
showed how highly toxic compounds impact human health. PCB’s and DDT are two of those
compounds that end up in food chains, which are stored in fatty tissue of fish. Eventually, the
compounds travel up the food chains to people. PCBS’s were discontinued in the ‘70s but they
do not break down and remain in the environment today.
POP’s health effects include: cancer, liver damage, reduce sperm count, miscarriage, neuro-
logical damage, and immune damage. Infants are most at risk to the effects of POP's because
they intake breast milk, which can have a large concentration of poison.
In 2001, 110 countries signed a treaty discontinue globally banned toxics. The US has not rati-
fied the treaty; therefore, the US is not held accountable for regulation of production of POP’s.
The US has not signed on because legislation cannot agree on the language that bans the use of
these chemicals.
In closing, Shelly told the audience to contact congressional leaders in order to put pressure on
the US to ratify the Stockholm treaties and she stated Shelly stated, “Relationship with Mother
Earth sustains Indigenous people. We are all connected like a big spider web. What we do the
web, we do to ourselves. ”
Questions and Statements
Wilbur Slockish (Columbia River Education Economic Development) stated that a study done
on the Columbia River Study is tailored so that the government can continue producing chemi-
cals. He commented that the Duwamish people should speak for the Duwamish and the US
government has not rescinded its extermination policy of indigenous people. People want to be
free of disease like cancer and diabetes, so we need a common goal to achieve clean water.
George K. Samuel (Man with the Bear Claws-clan leader from Alaska) stated that prior to 1492,
the Pope divided up land and gave out to the Kings regardless of people already living on the
land. The Divine Manifestation had justified the actions of the Europeans. How can the govern-
ment expect organization and constitution in Iraq if it still has chaos and genocide at home? In
referring to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, when will Alaska be given back to its peo-
ple? When government wants to negotiate, it really wants something from you. If they give
something valuable, it is a mistake.

9. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 9
Rural Environment & Economic Justice
Workshop I(B) Notes
Moderator: Juan Jose Bocanegra
Presenters: Daniel Morfin, United Farm Workers
Ricardo Garcia, Radio Cadena
Rosalinda Guillen, United Farm Workers
Daniel Morfin works with the United Farmworkers Union. The union began in 1993 to protect
farm workers from exploitation and discrimination. Daniel discussed the unsafe working condi-
tions farm workers faced.
Farm workers deal with such issues as work-related injuries, unsafe pesticide use and practices
and not enough enforcement of laws meant to protect them. For example, farmers do not wait
long enough to send their workers back to the fields after spraying them with pesticides. There
is not enough medical attention to the effects of pesticides and cases go undocumented. Fur-
thermore, doctors in the Yakima Valley do not have enough experience with the effects of pes-
ticide exposure and focus on getting workers back on the job too soon and workers become re-
injured. Health problems associated with pesticides include warts, irritated eyes, respiratory
problems and headaches.
When a worker complains about unsafe working conditions, usually the foreman gives him a
hard time and if a worker wants to quit, it's difficult to find a new job. Daniel stated that a fed-
eral program brought Mexicans to Yakima for work from 1944 to 1964, and there were abuses
back then that still happen today.
Ricardo Garcia works for the public radio station Radio Cadena, which airs educational pro-
gramming for those who speak Spanish and for farmers.
Ricardo spoke about the treatment of farm workers and immigrants. In the 40s, 50s, and 60s,
there was more migrant farm working so children lacked education and families had poorer
working and living conditions.
During the Chicano Movement in the 1960s, civil rights were demanded, community organiz-
ing addressed environmental issues and migrant work lessened. Health services and early
childhood education were threatened to be taken away if people demanded too many rights.
From 1986 to 87, many migrants acquired citizenship and petitioned to allow their relatives to
the US.
Ricardo mentioned solutions such as communicating and educating their (Mexican, Hispanic,
Chicano) own community. Children should be communicated to in their own language. Public
radio in Spanish is a good tool to address many issues like homophobia, AIDS, domestic vio-
lence, and environment. Also, information on the services that state agencies provide will be
shared with the public. Lastly, Ricardo told the audience to utilize agencies and organizations to
empower the people.

10. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 10
Rosalinda Guillen works with the United Farm Workers of America. The union protects farm
workers from exploitation and discrimination.
Rosalinda discussed pesticide exposure to farm workers. She stated that farm workers are like
our canaries in the gold mines. The chemicals used to produce food are killing us (farm work-
ers) and will start to kill the rest of the population. The excuse is that there is no scientific proof
that the chemicals are causing their health problems. What is needed is a dialogue about how
the food is produced and what can be done.
Farm workers need to be treated with dignity and given fair wages. Rosalinda said that the pov-
erty experienced by farm workers is the same as when she was young, and that wages have
gone down every year for the past 5 years. There is no minimum wage for farm workers. The
piece rate, for example, was 27 cents a raspberry bundle 5 years ago. Now it is 22 cents. Farm-
workers also deserve benefits for health, dental and sick leave.
Rosalinda concluded her presentation by telling the audience to be informed about free trade
and the food we buy. Pesticides that are prohibited here are shipped to other countries like Cen-
tral America and Mexico. With free trade, the US gets food with chemicals. A statistic she re-
ported was that more than 80% of food that is grown by pesticides can be avoided. Pesticides
are used in order to reduce man-power.
Rosalinda was asked the question, “What is your vision so that consumers can find and support
products that are not produced at the expense of workers and the environment?” She responded
that the audience should participate in local processes in order to find out where our food comes
from. If there are none, form a food policy council.
***
Urban Environmental & Economic Justice
Workshop I(C) Notes
Moderator: Alice Park
Presenters: Naomi Finklestein, Member, Yesler Terrace Community
Eddie Rye, Community Coalition for Contracts & Jobs
Wanda Saunders-Toth, NW Labor & Employment Law Office (LELO)
Wanda Saunders-Toth is a volunteer for LELO, Legacy of Equality, Leadership, & Organiz-
ing. LELO works to ensure that local people get first priority in hiring for local jobs. Their tac-
tics include signature gathering, leafleting, events and the Community Oversight Committee
(COC). Wanda is a community resident who took part in negotiations of hiring plans for HOPE
VI construction, to make sure community people got the jobs.
New Holly, a Seattle Housing Authority public housing community, used HOPE VI funding, a
federal program, for re-development. HOPE VI stands for “Housing Opportunities for People
Everywhere”. LELO found that at New Holly the contractor was bringing in white men from
California and Portland to work, and not people of color from the New Holly community.
A COC meeting with SHA was successful as SHA took it to heart and heard concerns.

11. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 11
LELO got the full disclosure of the contract and now COC can monitor hiring. Now 1/6 of
new hires for Hope VI projects will be apprentices and be hired from the community. This is
mandated from HUD, as HOPE VI contracted in 1968 with HUD. People are welcome to
come to monthly COC meetings and can call LELO 206-860-1400 ext. 5.
Wanda stated that in public housing, low income neighbor residents, homeless and commu-
nity youth are supposed to have priority to live on the property once it has been redeveloped.
Holly Park is public land. One house costs $130,000 to build, but now one house is selling for
$280,000, so even middle income people were unable to move back in. The Seattle Housing
Authority board is heavily weighted to favor developers.
Eddie Rye works for the Community Coalition for Contract Jobs. He’s been a Seattle activist
for the past 35 years. His focus is economic justice and he works in collaboration with
NAACP, Urban Leagues, and churches to examine the following issues:
1) Disproportionate incarceration: Young black males make up largest proportion of prison
population. We need to maximize on the human potential available in this country, by
having more role models in the community to encourage them to be useful citizens by get-
ting them jobs.
2) Access to construction jobs for people of color. In ‘70s, blacks weren’t allowed in con-
struction of buildings. In 1975, Consent decree mandated unions allow black contractors
to be part of the membership, along with other communities of color. Currently, white
males get 89% of the construction contracts.
National construction organizations support anti-affirmative action initiatives. The reason
given for the lack of more contracts awarded to black construction companies is that there not
enough contracts to go around. In 2000 The “Boost Program” was implemented by the City
of Seattle using federal money to encourage minority business participation. But community
didn’t get jobs and contractors got bonuses instead. In 2002, Black Chamber of Commerce-
Pacific Chapter filed a lawsuit that concerned intentional misrepresentation, violation of law
against discrimination, state law; contest constitutionality of I-200 allowed by court. The law-
suit is currently at the federal level. Eddie feels there needs to be a black worker’s union to
really represent their concerns and issues.
Questions and Statements
A conference attendee spoke on the campaign she’s working on in Rainier Valley. The city is
paying the community $50 million for light rail building work to assist businesses to move
due to relocation, or to help those who are losing money due to construction if they can show
proof. Her group is making sure money has less strings attached, and actually helps commu-
nity and will use some funds to make sure that the contractor hires local residents and groups.
Is there any legal protection for undocumented residents to join protest groups?
Terry Scott Worker-to-Worker project (collaboration with LELO): create network of workers
to identify how global corporations impact them. Working on coalition with other groups try-
ing to build local & state network in the minority community around immigration reform.

12. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 12
Naomi Finklestein is a Yesler Terrace resident and Community Council President, as well as
a member of the Yesler Terrace Coalition.
Yesler Terrace is owned by the Seattle Housing Authority, but it’s public land. It's the first
racially integrated housing in the country, with 600-700 families on 5 acres. Yesler is pre-
cious because it is so diverse, with immigrants from all parts of the world. Seattle has much
to learn from Yesler Terrace on how to live. There are no hate crimes with Muslim residents,
and children, elderly and families are all integrated.
Yesler Terrace is looking at examples at Rainier and Holly, to try to prevent the same sort of
development from happening, and getting on the planning Commission, to try to participate in
the process. With the other HOPE VI projects, they converted low-income housing to mixed
income housing and there was a net loss of 1,095 units of low-income housing.
SHA destroyed Holly Park—800 families couldn’t move back. SHA tries to divide & conquer
communities and oppressed people, so we need to be in solidarity-all different ethnic groups,
races, etc., and build capacity. The Yesler Terrace Coalition is building grassroots leadership
and solidarity with one another to prevent this. Want to have leadership reflecting the makeup
of the YT residents.
SHA says the redevelopment will start in 2009 and implementation keeps getting put off. SHA
can no longer get HOPE 6 money, so between that and protests they are biding their time.
They wants to build condos and there are private developers are on the SHA board of direc-
tors.
Seattle City Council is oversight for SHA, and controls SHA's budget. We can help out by
protesting that they will include have no net loss of low income housing and let local residents
be able to participate on the planning committee. It's important to get in on the process in the
beginning, get on the planning committees, make the authorities are accountable to the com-
munity. Whether the battle is won or not, future generations must see that the residents at
least tried to fight. The battle is bigger than Yesler Terrace; it’s about everyone in Section 8
housing or qualified for Section 8.
CCEJ Staff observing the conference opening. Pictured from left: Nate
Moxley, Holly Unger, Kate Villarreal, Virginia Suruda, Berthena Meno

13. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 13
Youth Organizing & Environmental Justice
Workshop II(A) Notes
Moderator: Thu Hong Nguyen
Presenters: Wilderness Inner City Leadership Development (WILD)
Environmental Justice Youth Advocates (EJYA)
Seattle Young Peoples Project (SYPP)
WILD- Wilderness Inner City Leadership Development
Presenters: Alan Lee, ZiHuan Nick Li, Rina Thi, Maria Carmen Cruz
WILD, is a program of the International District Housing Alliance (IDHA). WILD youth
work in the Chinatown/International District neighborhood, a diverse community that includes
Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Laotian, Cambodian and Vietnamese people.
The WILD presenters stressed the importance of communication in their work because of the
various languages spoken in the International District. They pointed out that youth and elders
in the community are not being heard and have been left out of decision-making processes.
The WILD youth are doing a community perspectives project where they use a photo-voice
program to document community concerns using cameras. They also do interviews and
surveys in the community. The youth closed by stating that their projects can be adopted in
any neighborhood.
EJYA- Environmental Justice Youth Advocates
Presenters: Virginia Suruda (youth coordinator), Reshonna Booker, Gardenia Vivas,
Yasmeena Sally, Latu Wanjalatan, Lashona Robinson, Marlene Nava, and Halima Mohamad.
EJYA is the youth leadership development Project of the Community Coalition for W
Environmental Justice. They presented on a South Park PCB project and toxic tour.
Toxic Tour- EJYA youth took the South Park toxic tour to learn about environmental justice
issues in South Park. The tour stopped at the Duwamish River, (Superfund site with polluted
seafood), Basil Oil, (PCB leakage), Marra Farm,
(organic community farm) and Cesar Chavez Park.
PCBs in South Park- EJYA did door-knocking in
South Park to find out what residents know about
PCBs and what their concerns are. PCBs,
polychlorinated biphenyls, are a known toxicant that
was used as an industrial lubricant and had many
applications in use until it was banned in the late
70’s. This odorless chemical was found in the soil in
the South Park community. EJYA youth gave the
following tips for protection: wash your hands often
when working in the yard, take your shoes off before
entering your home, and mop your floors frequently. Door Knocking Results- EJYA door-
knocked in South Park, and learned that the community was more concerned with gang
violence than chemical hazards such as PCBs. Nate Moxley, staff, pointed out that violence

14. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 14
in the community is an environmental injustice issue
within the realm of work that CCEJ does.
SYPP- Seattle Young Peoples Project
Co-director Denise Cooper and co-president Thu
Hoang Nguyen presented about SYPP’s
unique structure as a youth-led organization. SYPP
has youth-led participation at all levels. SYPP’s Board
of Directors always has two more youth than adults on
board so youth have the majority of power. The co-
directors help facilitate the campaigns and provide
Lashona Robinson presents for EJYA resources, but the campaign ideas come from the youth, who
are considered community organizers. Campaigns focus on
anti-oppression work, such as Youth Undoing Racism and a Young Women’s Conference.
This summer they are holding a Youth Organizing Conference in Seattle.
Audience members asked how they could support SYPP; Thu responded that folks could
attend their annual auction.
***
Globalization, Indigenous Peoples & People of Color
Workshop II(B) Notes
Moderator: Tyrus Smith
Presenters: Robert Free Galvan- Tribal Connections
Che Lopez- Southwest Workers Union
Yago Martinez, Filipino Workers Action Center
Robert Free Galvan with Tribal Connections began by stating that the oppression of
indigenous peoples in North America began in 1492, and continues to this day. North and
South America are linked in this struggle and if indigenous peoples collaborate together,
corporate globalization will not be successful.
Robert discussed the issue of indigenous lands and resources in terms of environmental
problems. Consumer products come from raw materials, which usually come from lands
owned or worked by indigenous peoples around the world. The struggle now is finding allies
to stand in solidarity and protect indigenous lands and resources. Robert gave a history of
modern indigenous struggles in the Americas. He also discussed current practices of
institutional racism at the University of Washington.
Why are the struggles and oppression of indigenous people not included in history books?
How about in the mainstream or media? We're talking about a western linear mind-set or
thought process that excludes spirituality. We can work together and collaborate on things.
Let one who is a part of the indigenous people speak on indigenous issues rather than white
people speaking falsely for us. They make a living off of our people, especially UW.
Institutional mechanisms need to be dismantled that repress our people. How do we go against
maintaining linear thinking that isn't reflective of our planet and resources. We can work

15. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 15
collaboratively. And, we need folks in institutions to make aware of racism inherent in them.
Che Lopez- Southwest Workers Union - Those people who are supposed to be devout are
siding with the government. How can we converge and be united? This process of movement
will be consolidated. The struggle of people of color has to start with educating people and
community. Knowledge needs to be passed on to the youth. Who's going to be our future
leaders? How do we keep our history of struggles strong for the next generation to take on
from where we left off? What's the transition of our movement? We didn't cross the border, but
rather the border crossed us instead. The borders need to be broken within our own city and
state. There are strong alternatives and communities, and movements using education and the
media. NAFTA has caused huge problems; FTAA and CAFTA must not be passed!
Yago Martinez- Filipino Workers Action Center - We're having an identity crisis. The
Philippines were occupied by Spaniards for 300 years and by the American government. Why
is there poverty? The answer is population. There's an economic trend each time we reach a
recession with the government spending more on military. The economic crisis pushes
monopoly to become more aggressive towards opponents. Where military arms go, human
rights violations increase. There seems to be a correlation of U.S. Troops arrival and opening
of economic globalization. It’s easier to eliminate a class of people if labels are applied to
them, so Filipinos labeled “terrorists”.
The Philippines is a second front against war on terrorism. If you look at the pretext of
globalization and people, they are unequal. Workers are beaten by police. Religious people are
targeted as terrorists. It's easier to get rid of a certain class if you label them. You can't isolate
an issue or a race from another. We're working with international solidarity.
In 1889-1914, 1.5 million people were massacred. That is one-tenth of the population. Mostly
indigenous people were massacred. And, there's a one-side violation. We need to exploit that
to stop the massacres. Struggles and fatalities of indigenous peoples and people of color are
not publicized in the mainstream media or included in history, which is racism.
Final Words
Robert: We should address our struggle by dismantling the ideology from an indigenous
perspective. For the economic future, it should be energy efficient utilizing wind, water, and
solar energy.
Che: Many movements are utilizing and working lands giving agricultural produce to many
families. Relating to CAFTA, how do we link up w/ the South and build up solidly. To not
advocate for capitalism, we shouldn't support corporations. We should make our own
education, distribution of goods, health care, and housing. We need to make our communities
sustainable. Why are people profiting of peoples' backs (the workers). There are different types
of revolutions. People need to make sacrifices and supporting corporations that pay low wages
to workers.
Yago: Those people who are supposed to be devout are siding with the government. Bullets
that hit workers were made in their own country. If we want to make it a peaceful country, the
law has to abide. Instead of capitalism, socialism is an alternative. Capitalism is a
revolutionary idea that changed the system. Some capitalistic aspects can still be used. But,
essentially, there's going to be a socialistic perspective.

16. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 16
Brownfields: How Communities Can Reclaim Land
Workshop II(C) Notes
Moderator: Yalonda Sinde
Presenters: Lucy Auster, King County Brownfields Program
William Teasley, Brownfields Institute, Atlanta, GA
Pat Chemnick, Southeast Effective Development (SEED)
Ryan Kellogg, Tacoma Pierce County Dept. of Health
Lucy Aster – King County Solid Waste Division- Brownfields Program
Lucy Aster presented on how King County works with communities on brownfield cleanups.
Unlike superfund sites, brownfields can become a clean-up project with a reuse plan. The Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency defines a brownfield as, with certain legal exclusions and addi-
tions, real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by
the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
Because brownfield clean-ups are funded through EPA with federal money, there is a lot of red
tape around the process. King County Solid Waste Division (KCSWD) takes the federal money
and contracts through the Environmental Coalition of South Seattle (ECOSS), a nonprofit.
King County provides technical assistance to property owners, non-property owners, and com-
munity groups to determine how to go about developing a brownfield. This assistance includes
historical research to determine what was done on the site, determining if there was an under-
ground storage tank (UST) on site, interpretations of previous environment assessments, and
referrals. Basically King County tries to hold organizations’ hand through the regulatory
brownfields process.
Pat Chemnick- Southeast Effective Development (SEED)
SEED is a 30 year old nonprofit. Pat presented SEED’s experience working with a brownfield
project that is now Rainier Court in Rainier Valley. SEED focuses on the Rainier Valley Floor,
which is the lowest income along MLK & Rainier. Part of what they do is bridge the gap of fi-
nancing within low income areas where properties cost the same but rent is lower. With an
original plan for commercial development, the project evolved to address the need for low in-
come housing. Phase 1 is affordable senior housing run by SHAG, Phase 2 is affordable family
housing with the bottom for retail. Phase 3 & 4 are still in the conceptual stage. The cleanup for
this building was over $1 million. The funding for Rainier Court was private, public, and fed-
eral.
William Teasley- Brownfields Institute (Atlanta, GA)
Across the nation, we still face many of same issues when we look at environmental problems.
Our focus is on community based solutions including determining what to do with an aban-
doned site for the community that the community wants. Mission: educate, engage, and em-
power young adults & community residents to be champions for revitalization of their commu-
nities. Goal: Restore & Transform communities that have been left developmentally. Work with
community residents to figure out what are you going to do with it & how.
The site history & past users provides critical information- talk to people that worked there.
May have environmental legacy based on historic use or nearby industrial/commercial proper-
ties.

17. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 17
Tools for reuse-perform a community needs survey. Ask: “What do you want? What’s miss-
ing?” Work on community visioning!
-Types of reuse: housing, commercial, community based service, green space, technology re-
search-tests tech that clean up, industrial, public services, medical services, city, county, state/
fed facilities, and educational facilities.
Sometimes the price of cleanup is greater than price of land. You start process & you never
know what you could end up with. Keep public/community informed. The public can help you
move forward when you’re stuck be public can go with you to meetings.
John Sherman from Tacoma/ Pierce County Health Dept.
John’s background in cleanup is “not grounded in a holistic approach”. We rely on groundwater
for our drinking water. Data over last 15 years shows that ¾ of underground storage tanks
(USTs) leak. Project ACT (abandoned commercial tank) performed a county wide Phase 1 as-
sessment for the entire refueling industry. UST technology changed dramatically in late 80s.
They searched city directories and found that Pierce County had 250 gas stations and now only
has 75.
Cleaned up and reused sites almost always skirt downtown because land is so valuable and tend
to cluster along the I-5 transportation corridor. Lack of records not always an overt action.
Many uncleaned brownfields have been acquired by informal means by people that don’t know
to get Phase 1 inventory. As we put together threads of leaking tanks, low income and minority
populations, and environmental problems, we work towards a Brownfields Project.
Questions and Statements
Yalonda Sinde: One reason we want to have the workshop is because people don’t know some-
thing can be done for communities with polluted land.
Q: When you say cleanup, who and how? A: Emery Bayley (ECOSS) It’s about compliance
with the Model Toxics Control Act (MCTA). Pat Chemick (SEED): It’s basically expensive
engineers & scientists testing dirt until you reach an acceptable level.
Q: What are resources from cleanup? A: (Pat) We got an EPA loan for Phase I for $440,000.
We got $200k grant from EPA but need more. Phase I costs are $24 M and Phase II are $22 M,
but these are huge projects.
Q: Given that access to the money required for cleanup is unequal based on class and race, how
do we keep to keep this from further contributing to gentrification. A: (Pat) This is a tough
question. Remember the benefit of reclaiming the site-always a balance. Must keep community
in mind. (Yalonda) One way to make sure is that with nicer we also need to have more afford-
able. At CCEJ we are working to address this by working to preserve low income housing with
the Yesler Terrace battle. (William)You can’t control gentrification especially in the urban area.
It’s a matter of getting ahead of the curve. You can’t catch the train after it has left the station.

18. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 18
Conference Attendees, Endorsers and Participating Organizations
The following organizations & agencies had representatives at the conference.
Please do not use or add these addresses or emails to any lists until obtaining permission.
Alaska Center for Appropriate Website: http://carw.org/
Technology (ACAT) Email: info@carw.org
505 West Northern Lights Blvd
Suite 205 Coalition to Undo Racism Everywhere
Anchorage, Alaska 99503 P.O. Box 47437
(907) 222-7714 Seattle, WA 98146
Fax: (907) 222-7715 (206) 938-1023
Website: www.akaction.org Website: www.seattlecure.org
Email: info@AKAction.net Email: pinwseattle@yahoo.com
African-American Community Health Columbia River Education-Economic
Network (AACHN) Development
113– 23rd Avenue S. PO Box 184
Seattle, WA 98144 The Dalles, Oregon 97058
(206) 709-1777 (509) 748-2077
Fax (206) 709-9248
Community Alliance for Global Justice
African Youth United 606 Maynard Ave. S #252
2820 E. Cherry St. Seattle, WA 98104
Seattle, WA 98122 (206) 405-4600
(206) 860-9606 Website: www.seattleglobaljustice.org
Website: www.sypp.org Email: cagi@seattleglobaljustice.org
AFSC Community Coalition for Contracts & Jobs
814 NE 40th St 5560 S. Holly St.
Seattle, WA 98105 Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 632-0500 ext 14 (206) 786-2763
Fax: (206) 632-0976 Email: erye@comcast.net
Website: www.afsc.com
Email: dwashing@afsc.org EarthCorps
NE 74th St. Ste. 201 E
Brownfields Institute Seattle, WA 98115
114 Atlanta Ave SE (206) 322-9296
Atlanta, GA 30315 Fax: (206) 322-9312
Email: w.teasley@att.net Website: www.earthcorps.org
Email: info@earthcorps.org
Center for Environmental Law
and Policy Earth Ministries
2400 N 45th Street, Suite 101 6512 23rd Ave. NW, Ste. 317
Seattle, WA 98103 Seattle, WA 98117
(206) 223-8454 (206) 632-2426
Fax: (206) 223-8464 Fax: (206) 632-2082
Website: www.celp.org Website: www.earthministry.org
Email: kallston@celp.org Email: emoffice@earthministry.org
Citizens for a Clean Columbia Ecopraxis
Wenatchee 5901 Phinney Ave N #306
Website: www.cleancolumbia.org Seattle, WA 98103
(360) 732-4142
ECOSS
Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites 8201 10th Ave. S

19. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 19
Seattle, WA 98108
767-0432 Institute for Children’s Environmental Health
Fax: (206)767-0203 1646 Dow Road
Website: www.ecoss.org Freeland, WA 98249
Email: ecoss@ecoss.org (360) 331-7904
Fax: (360) 331-7908
EnviroCitizen Email: iceh@iceh.org
Seattle office now closed.
Website: www.envirocitizen.org International District Housing Alliance
606 Maynard Ave. South Ste.105
EnviroIssues Seattle, WA 98104
101 Stewart St Ste 1101 (206) 623-5132 ext.13
Seattle, WA 98101 Email: stella@apialliance.org
(206) 269-5041
IslandWood
Evergreen State College 4450 Blakely Ave NE
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
Olympia, WA 98505 (206) 885-4300
(360) 867-6000 Website: http://islandwood.org
Website: http://www.evergreen.edu/ Email: info@islandwood.org
Fellowship of Reconciliation King County, Recycling & Environmental
225 N 70th St Services
Seattle, WA 98103 King St. Center
(206) 789-5565 201 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA 98104
Filipino Workers Action Center Email: lucy.aster@metrokc.gov
2809 Beacon Ave. Ste. 18
Seattle, WA 98144 Korean Women’s Association
Email: info@anakbayan.org 123 East 96th Street
Tacoma, WA 98445
Freedom Socialist Party (253) 535-4202
4710 University Way NE Ste 100 Website: www.kwaoutreach.org
Seattle, WA 98105 Email: luapr@kwaoutreach.org
(206) 985-4621
LELO
Global Visionaries
409 Maynard Ave. S., Suite. P-4
1130 34th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122 Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 322-9448 (206) 860-1400 ext. 5
fontanas@global-visionaries.org Fax (206) 860-1414
Website: www.lelo.org
Green Party of Seattle Email: cherry@lelo.org
PO Box 95515
Seattle, WA 98145 Let’s Talk America
(206) 524-3377 1624 Harmon Place
info@seattlegreens.org
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Indigenous Environmental Network-
(206) 789-8697
Northwest Office Website: www.letstalkamerica.org
2100 Electric Avenue, #415 Email: talk@letstalkamerica.org
Bellingham, WA 98229-4556
(360) 752-9633 Mothers Against Mercury Amalgam
Email: Msvendiola@comcast.net 2420 NW Quimby #14

20. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 20
Portland, OR 97210 Congregation
4620 S Findlay St
The Nature Consortium Seattle, WA 98118
4210 SW Oregon St (206) 722-4880
Seattle, WA 98116 Email: admin@rvuuvc.org
(206) 923-0853
Website: www.naturec.org Seattle Radical Women
Email: info@naturec.org New Freeway Hall
5018 Rainier Ave S
NW Center for Public Health Practice Seattle, WA 98118
4005 15th Ave NE #601 (206) 722-6057
Seattle, WA 98105 Email: RWseattle@mindspring.com
PCUN Seattle University
300 Young St. 901 12th Ave PO Box 222000
Woodburn, OR 97071 Seattle, WA 98122
(509) 982-0243 Website: www.seattleu.edu
Website: www.pcun.org
Email: farmworkerunion@pcun.org Seattle Young People’s Project
2820 E. Cherry St.
People’s Coalition for Justice Seattle, WA 98122
814 NE 40th St (206) 860-9606
Seattle, WA 98105 Website: www.sypp.org
(206) 329-9062 Email: info@sypp.org
Email: delilaleber@prodigy.net;
klorganizer@yahoo.com Seattle Youth Garden Works
215 NE 40th Street, Ste C-2
Pepperspary Productions Seattle, WA 98105
PO Box 20626 (206) 632-0352
Seattle, WA 98102 Website: http://sygw.org
Website: www.peppersp.server312.com
Email: info@peppersprayproductions.org SHAWL Society
PO Box 61
PRR Wellpinit, WA 99040
1109 First Avenue Ste 300
Seattle, WA 98101 Southeast Effective Development
(206) 623-0735 5117 Rainier Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98118
Radical Women (206) 723-7333
New Freeway Hall Website: www.seedseattle.org
5018 Rainier Ave. S. Email: erichardson@seedseattle.org
Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 722-6057 Southwest Network for Environmental &
Fax: 206-723-7691 Economic Justice
Website: www.socialism.com 804 SW Park Ave
Email: RWseattle@mindspring.com Seattle, WA 87102
Radio KDNA Southwest Workers Union
121 Sunnyside Ave PO Box 830706
Granger, WA 98932 San Antonio, TX 78283
(509) 854-1900/ 2222 (210) 299-2666
Email: info@kdna.org Fax: (210) 299-4009
Website: www.swunion.org
Rainier Valley Unitarian Universalist Email: swu@igc.org

21. Community Coalition for Environmental Justice 21
WA State Nurses Association
Spokane Neighborhood Action Program 575 Andover Park W Ste 101
Living Green Seattle, WA 98188
212 W 2nd Ave (206) 575-7979
Spokane, WA 99201 wsna@wsna.org
Suriname Indigenous Health Fund Washington Toxics Coalition
3841 42nd Ave NE 4649 Sunnyside Ave N Ste 540
Seattle, WA 98105 Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 632-1545
Tacoma Pierce County Dept. of Health Fax: (206) 632.8661
3629 South D St. Website: www.watoxics.org
Tacoma, WA 98418-6813 Email: info@watoxics.org
(253) 798-6500
Website: www.tpchd.org Western Shoshone Defense Project
Email: info@tpchd.org POB 211308
Crescent Valley, NV 89821
Tenant’s Union Website: www.wsdp.org
5425 B Rainier Ave. S Email: wsdp@igc.org
Seattle, WA 98188
(206) 723-0500 WA State Dept of Health
Website: www.tenantsunion.org (800) 525-0127
Email: emily@tenantsunion.org
Wilderness Inner City Leadership
Toxic Free Legacy Development (WILD)
206-632-1545 ext. 23 606 Maynard Ave S Ste 105
4649 Sunnyside Ave N Suite 540 Seattle, WA 98104
Seattle, WA 98103 Website: http://www.apialliance.org/
Website: http://toxicfreelegacy.org Email: joyce@apialliance.org
Email: info@toxicfreelegacy.org
Yesler Terrace Community Council
Tribal Connections 929 S. Washington #404
3020 23rd Ave S Seattle, WA 98104
Seattle, WA 98144 (206) 720-0285
Email: robtfree@earthlink.net Email: librarianbear@yahoo.com
UW School of Social Work
(206) 543-5640
Box 354900
4101 15th Avenue NE
Seattle, WA 98105-6299
Website: http://depts.washington.edu/sswweb/
Email: Sswminre@u.washington.edu
WA Citizens for Proportional Representation
4560 W Cramer
Seattle, WA 98199
(206) 366-2158
Email: washington@fairvote.net
Washington Farm Workers Union
PO Box 337
Granger, WA 98932
(509) 854-2442
Email: morfin533@hotmail.com