Speakers

Jami Williams (she/they) is the Gender-Based Violence Program Manager for the Chief Seattle Club and has been advocating at the intersection of homelessness and gender-based violence since the beginning of the ongoing pandemic. Located in the city's historic Pioneer Square district, the Chief Seattle Club provides a safe and sacred place to nurture, affirm, and renew the spirit of urban Native peoples in need. Our mission is to create a welcoming place of support, acceptance and ceremony for Seattle's Native population. Jami is a Little Shell Chippewa Tribe of Montana descendant as well as Afro-Latine. Jami identifies as an Indigiqueer person, survivor, advocate and someone deeply concerned with the well-being of our Native relatives experiencing chronic homelessness or displacement due to LGBTQIA+ identity or DV/SA. Jami earned their Bachelors of Arts in Ethnic, Gender, and Labor Studies from the University of Washington. Their education combined with their lived experience drives their passion to work with their community to create space for healing through advocacy. The CSC GBV Program has provided support to our members through housing, employment, education, domestic violence advocacy, mental & spiritual health, substance abuse treatment, and by allowing our members the ability to regain their pride and autonomy. Jami values their Anishinaabe culture and multi-racial/ethnic heritage that connects them to many traditions and lifeways. Jami is honored to serve their relatives with great humility and this lifelong commitment to all those who have become before them and will come after them. Miigwech!