* Bernie Whitebear; Indian Advocate in Seattle Area

Bernie Whitebear, 62, advocate for Seattle area American Indians. Whitebear was the leader of an assistance group called the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation. He first gained notoriety in 1970 when he helped lead an “invasion” of Fort Lawton in northwest Seattle, attempting to reclaim the 1,110-acre federal property for Indians. The government had listed the property as “surplus” and planned to turn it over to the city of Seattle for a public park. The Indian occupation lasted three months and drew national media attention and an appearance by Jane Fonda. Congress eventually ordered the city to negotiate with the Indians, and Whitebear’s group was offered a 99-year lease on a 20-acre parcel of the land. Today, the Daybreak Star Art Center stands on that section in the city’s Discovery Park. Whitebear worked until his death to try to expand the center to include a museum, performing arts center and “potlatch house” to accommodate as many as 1,500 people for traditional feasting. His foundation, which now has 110 employees and a budget of $5 million, provides 13 educational, counseling and other programs to about 4,500 people each year. On Sunday in Seattle of colon cancer.