Daybreak Star owes its existence to Native American activists, including United Indians’ founder, Bernie Whitebear. Together with the Indian community, they staged a non-violent takeover and occupation of the land in 1970 after most of the Fort Lawton military base was declared surplus by the U.S. Department of Defense.
As a major nucleus of Native American cultural activity as well as a unique event space, Daybreak Star serves as a conference center, a location for powwows, and the headquarters of United Indians and many of their services.