Category Archives: Indigenous People

Indigenous People’s Day 2023

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Westlake Park to Seattle City Hall

Seattle, WA

Monday, October 9th, 2023

The Indigenous People’s Day Proclamation says the following:

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle recognizes that the Indigenous Peoples of the lands that would later become known as the Americas have occupied these lands since Time Immemorial; and that Seattle is built upon the homelands and villages of the Indigenous Peoples of this region, without whom the building of the City would not have been possible; and

WHEREAS, the City values the many contributions made to our community through Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge, labor, technology, science, philosophy, arts and the deep cultural contribution that has substantially shaped the character of the City of Seattle; and

WHEREAS, the City of Seattle has a responsibility to oppose the systematic racism towards Indigenous people in the United States, which perpetuates high rates of poverty and income inequality, exacerbating disproportionate health, education, and social crises; and

WHEREAS, the City promotes the closing of the equity gap for Indigenous Peoples through policies and practices that reflect the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, ensure greater access and opportunity, and honor our nation’s indigenous roots, history, and contributions; and

WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; and

WHEREAS, in 2014 the Mayor, City Council of Seattle, and the Seattle Human Rights Commission declared the second Monday of October as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” to promote tolerance, understanding and friendship, and to combat prejudice and eliminate discrimination stemming from colonization: and on March 29, 2022 the City Council unanimously passed Ordinance 126559 establishing Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a legal holiday;

NOW, THEREFORE, THE MAYOR OF SEATTLE AND SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 9, 2023 TO BE Indigenous Peoples’ Day to commemorate and support Indigenous Peoples and encourage all businesses, organizations, public institutions, and City residents to recognize this day and honor the legacy and contribution of Seattle’s American Indian, Alaskan Native and Indigenous communities who have been here since Time Immemorial.

Seattle Activists Protest Arrests at Wet’suwet’en Camp in British Columbia

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January 8th, 2019

At least 40 activists gathered outside the lobby of the Canadian Consulate in Seattle to protest the arrests of water protectors and activists at the Gidumt’en checkpoint on land belonging to the Wet’suwet’en Nation. The land is under threat from Coastal GasLink, a project of TransCanada Corporation, who has been constructing a 670-kilometer fracked gas pipeline that will carry fracked gas from Dawson Creek, B.C. to the coastal town of Kitimat, where LNG Canada’s processing plant would be located.

The consulate doors locked remotely as the activists walked into the lobby.
A consulate representative asked that the group quiet down.
A consulate official explains that they have received the petition, but that the group needs to leave the building.
Security is called, and the demand to exit the building is re-issued. Activists were determined to stay for two more songs. SPD never arrived and no arrests were made.

“In response to the call for a solidarity action on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 responding to the International Solidarity with Wet’suwet’en Day of Action. This action will take place on unceded Duwamish & Coast Salish land at the Canadian consulate @ 1501 4th Ave Seattle WA.

Calling on all drummers and prayer warriors to show up in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en territories and all land defenders at the access point on Gidumt’en territory.
This will be a prayerful action. Please bring your drums, songs, copal, signs, etc.”

Facebook event page – https://www.facebook.com/events/2489982587683263/

You can read more about this issue here…”https://lastrealindians.com/heavily-armed-rcmp-tactical-unit-and-military-forces-confronting-un-armed-indigenous-land-defenders/mattremle/“

Seattle Celebrates 5th Annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day

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Seattle, WA

10/8/18

Indigenous people and allies from around the Pacific Northwest gathered at Westlake Park on Duwamish (dxʷdəwʔabš) land for a rally and march to celebrate the 5th year Seattle has celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day. More than 150 people marched in the rain from Westlake Park long 5th Avenue to Seattle City Hall, where a rally was held. Evening events were held at Daybreak Star.

 

 

 

The process of ending the celebration of a genocidal, slave trading, lost navigator, was long, and thanks to tireless work by activists like Matt Remle and many others, the proclamation was voted on by the Seattle City Council and was signed into law by mayor Ed Murray in 2013.