CHIEF SEATTLE CLUB

This is some of my proudest work, and yet, it sadly never came to fruition. Chief Seattle Club is a 501(c)(3) “dedicated to physically and spiritually supporting American Indian and Alaska Native people.” Under Chief Seattle Club are a number of supporting small businesses such as Sovereignty Farms which provides a place for Native people to “grow culturally significant foods,” and Eagle Village which provides bridge housing for Native elders and homeless.

In 2021, they were adding even more to their impressive portfolio with a public cafe dedicated to serving Native foods and hosting Native events on the ground floor of their new ?ál?al Building (pronounced ALL ALL and means “Home” in Lushootseed). They were seeking a brand development and launch strategy for the cafe, including a name. Additionally, they wanted a brand narrative that tied the many various branches of the organization together. While all individually successful, leadership felt there was a disconnect from the parent brand and a lack of awareness to their affiliation. Below, is the deck I presented outlining my concept for the cafe and the parent brand narrative. The reaction I received from their leadership is something I’ll never forget, and the reason why it ranks right up alongside the Kraken for some of my proudest work.

CSC DECK

Mission Statement

The organization’s official mission statement that was provided to me for context at the beginning of the project.

Parent Brand Narrative

This is the story of Chief Seattle Club. Each section has a label that corresponds to one of the org’s sub-brands. Each can stand alone in the telling of its own story and also put together in the telling of a larger story.

WE ARE HERE

From the Plains Indian Ledger Art Project, “…Ledger Art, represents a transitional form of Plains Indian artistry corresponding to the forced reduction of Plains tribes to government reservations...”

WE ARE HERE Map

The cafe turns every western map (googlemaps included) into living, breathing ledger art.

No, not We Are Here Cafe. WE ARE HERE. You know where to find us. And we’re not going anywhere.