APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER NOEL GALLO
RESOLUTION HONORING MR. MARTIN WAUKAZOO UPON HIS
RETIREMENT AFTER 40 YEARS OF DEDICATED WORK AND
SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE CITY OF OAKLAND
WHEREAS, after four transformative decades, Martin “Marty” Waukazoo (La kota), the visionary CEO of the Native American Health Center (NAHC), will retire on November 1, 2023.
NAHC’s Board of Directors have appointed Natalie Aguilera (Choctaw), the current Interim CEO and Chief Administrative Officer , to succeed Waukazoo. The Boar d is confident Aguilera will carry forward the vision and passion that Waukazoo has instilled in the center for decades; and
WHEREAS, Waukazoo’s 40-year tenure at NAHC highlighted his unwavering dedication to Native American health and w ellbeing, and he leaves behind a powerful legacy. In 1983, Waukazoo began his journey as CEO of what was then the Urban In dian Health Board. His leadership steered NAHC through landmark achievements, from spe arheading advocacy that influenced healthcare policy on local, state, and federal level s to magnifying the organization's reach and capabilities. Starting with 17 employees at one locat ion in San Francisco and a budget of $88,000, under his stewardship, NAHC grew to more than 300 s taff across 12 locations with a budget of over $35 million; and
WHEREAS, even in the face of adversity, Waukazoo’s dedication never wav ered. A notable moment came in 1997 when the Board of Directors terminated him over concerns he raised about their spending. However, with unwavering support from his staff and the community, his concerns were soon validated. Just a month later, due to misman agement of funds, state investigators and Alameda County officials mandated the Board's resignation. A new Board of Directors rightfully reinstated him as CEO; and
WHEREAS, Waukazoo's journey with NAHC i s rooted in personal experience .
Relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area from South Dakota in 1973 under the U.S. government's Native American relocation progr am, he faced significant challe nges. His transformative experience and sobriety journey at Friendship House Association of American Indians of San Francisco (FH) ignited his dedication to bringing the community's dreams into reality. Under his leadership, NAHC became the heartbeat of the community, serving and uplifting Natives; and WHEREAS, recognizing a demographic shift in 1983 as the Native populati on moved from San Francisco to Oakland, Waukazoo made the pivotal decision to purchase the American Indian Human Services Building in the Fruitvale neighborhood. While the decision initially faced skepticism, the 16,000-square-foot facility became a symbol of empowerment and ownership for the community. "We were no longer renters, we were owners—we we ren't going anywhere," Waukazoo said, highlighting the monumental shift in mindset that ownership brought. This new building also gave the health center leverage to expand the org anization further in the Fruitvale neighborhood, helping build the beginnings of a Native American Cultural District within Oakland. "We are taking back bits and pieces of this land," said Waukazoo; and
WHEREAS, Waukazoo oversaw the growth of services at NAHC as the organiz ation worked to address all social determinants of health for members , an innovative effort NAHC led long before the concept became conventional. NAHC transitioned from an Indian Health Services clinic to a Federally Qualified Health Center and went on to ac hieve certification through the Accreditation Association for Am bulatory Health Care. These shi fts enabled NAHC to provide more comprehensive care services to everyone in the surrounding communities regardless of Tribal affiliation or ethnicity; and
WHEREAS, Waukazoo is currently serving as Executive Director of FH, whe re he will close out his career, carrying on the legacy of his late wife H elen Waukazoo (Navajo). Helen co- founded FH and served as CEO for 60 years. In November 2021, th e City of Oakland renamed 31st Ave. to Waukazoo Way in honor of Marty and Helen's dedicat ion to the Bay Area Native community. Despite facing intense racism during their early years, Martin and Helen stood united, guiding their community to not onl y survive but thrive. Their s tory of healing and perseverance has served as a beacon of hope and inspiration for many in the community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: We are honored to recognize Mr. Waukazoo upon his retirement a fter 40 years of dedicated work and service in the community for the City of Oakland.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, JENKINS, KALB, KAPLAN, RAMACHANDRAN, REID, AND
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California