Abigail Echo-Hawk, a prominent indigenous researcher and citizen of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, has been named to the 2024 TIME100 Next list, which honors 100 individuals who are shaping the future of global leadership.
This recognition highlights her groundbreaking work in public health and data sovereignty, especially as it relates to Indigenous communities.
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The TIME100 Next list, an expansion of TIME magazine’s iconic Person of the Year and TIME100 lists, focuses on emerging leaders in diverse fields including health, politics, climate, arts and more. Echo-Hawk’s selection solidifies her influence as a leader redefining the role of Indigenous values in Western research frameworks.
Echo-Hawk is the Executive Vice President of the Seattle Indian Health Board and director of its research arm, the Urban Indian Health Institute. She has long been recognized for her commitment to decolonizing data and ensuring Indigenous voices are at the forefront of health and policy discussions.
Labeled the “Unapologetic Auntie of Indigenous Data” by the New York Times, Echo-Hawk has dedicated her career to integrating Indigenous methodologies into scientific research, challenging Western norms that often ignore Indigenous communities.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to be mentioned alongside some of the world’s most brilliant minds, including Indigenous actor Kali Reis,” Echo-Hawk said in a press release. “Indigenous leadership is often only recognized within our own communities, so I cherish this recognition with immense gratitude for the leaders of the past, present and future.”
Echo-Hawk’s work extends far beyond public health research. She is a leading advocate in the fight to end the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) epidemic. As co-author of a landmark report, she drew national attention to the staggering number of MMIWG cases in urban centers across the United States.
Her plea does not stop at research; Echo-Hawk uses art as a powerful form of protest. When the Seattle Indian Health Board was accidentally sent body bags instead of personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, it created a ribbon dress from body bags to raise awareness for MMIWG, turning the incident into a symbol of resistance.
“Abigail is revolutionizing the way governments, institutions and medical professionals approach healthcare for American Indians and Alaska Natives,” said U.S. Senator Patty Murray in a press release. “Her research and tireless advocacy to address violence against Indigenous women have driven policy changes across the country, at all levels of government. Abigail is a true changemaker and the entire state of Washington is proud of her leadership.”
Echo-Hawk has also served on several national research committees, including one for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, where she helped develop an equitable distribution framework for the COVID-19 vaccine. Her leadership has been critical in ensuring that Indigenous communities have equitable access to health care services.
An influential voice on Indigenous healthcare and data sovereignty, Abigail Echo-Hawk’s inclusion on the TIME100 Next list recognizes her critical role in shaping a future where Indigenous voices are empowered and Indigenous knowledge is valued globally. Her leadership continues to advance much-needed reforms in healthcare, policy and treatment for Indigenous communities across the country.
About the author: “Kaili Berg (Aleut) is a member of the Alutiiq\/Sugpiaq Nation and a shareholder in Koniag, Inc. She is a staff reporter for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. Based in Wisconsin, Berg previously reported for the Ho newspaper -Chunk Nation, Hocak Worak She originally attended nursing school, but changed her major after finding her passion in communications at Western Technical College in Lacrosse, Wisconsin.
Contact: kberg@indiancountrymedia.com
