After two years of careful relationship-building and strategic negotiations, yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective is proud to announce the purchase of the historic Carriage House adjacent to our existing 1.5-acre greenspace and 1,270-square-foot home in Rainier Beach.
This achievement is a significant “Land Back” victory—restoring land to Indigenous stewardship and affirming our vision of transforming this space into a vibrant Indigenous arts center rooted in community care. The new property, which includes two connected century-old structures on a 9,316 square-foot lot, was acquired for $400,000, supported by appraisals of our existing parcels, a zero-interest loan from the Laird Norton Family Foundation, and an Emergency and Unforeseen Grant from 4Cuture.
Our team, alongside realtor Dawn Turnipseed and real estate attorney Andrew Zellers, navigated offers and negotiations, culminating in this momentous acquisition. Historically, these buildings served as a carriage house and living space for workers—today, yəhaw̓ envisions transforming them into artist co-working spaces, a library, and gallery—resources that will support Indigenous artists at every stage of their creative journeys while honoring the stories of the working-class lives once rooted here.
This acquisition completes the third phase of our land growth strategy, enabling us to preserve and repurpose these historic structures as monuments to community labor, rather than demolish them.
Our vision remains steadfast: to build an Indigenous Arts Center that celebrates Indigenous creativity, land rematriation, and community resilience. Serving as a living testament to Indigenous presence and stories, this space will be an enduring gift for future generations.
Join us in celebration!
We invite you to celebrate this radical act of reclamation with us at our upcoming event:
Rematriation Celebration: A Fundraiser for Land, Art & Community
This outdoor gathering promises fun for all ages, with activities, community connection, and opportunities to support yəhaw̓’s ongoing work. Your support will help:
>>Plant trees, restore creeks, and expand our land restoration efforts.
>>Upgrade community spaces and grow our programs for artists at every stage—residencies, grants, and more.
>>Build our greenhouse, expand outdoor spaces, and support new projects to sustain Indigenous culture long-term. .
We will have so much to do, see and explore like…
Off The Rez Food Truck with tasty eats & drinks
Native Art Market & Art auction (50% of proceeds go directly to local Native artists)
Family fun: scavenger hunts, games (including cornhole by Earl Davis of Shoalwater Bay), sensory art stations, and land rematriation educational signage
Art center planning activity led by Kimberly Deriana (Mandan and Hidatsa) — imagine future structures with a creative collage exercise
Film screenings & outdoor movie nights featuring work by our talented collective members: Emma Barrow (Cherokee), Olivia Camfield (Muscogee Nation) and Woodrow Hunt (Klamath/Modoc, Cherokee), and Shyanne Yellowbird (Samson Cree First Nation)
Outdoor festival games, scavenger hunts, and Polaroid photo moments with Andrew Roibal (Pueblo of Acoma)
Live performances: DJ Libby (Choctaw) with dance & music, plus an amazing drag show by Hailey Tayathy (Quileute)