HomeMy WebLinkAboutIndigenous People’s Day ROCLAMATION
A proclamation officially recognizing Monday, October 9, 2023 as Indigenous Peoples' Day in order to promote respect
and representation,to honor and celebrate the rich culture and treaty rights of Indigenous People, to combat prejudice and
discrimination,and to promote healing from the violence of American colonization of Indigenous Peoples and their land.
WHEREAS,Jefferson County, WA recognizes its boundaries occupy the ancestral lands of the S'Klallams/
Klallam, Quileute, Hoh,Quinault,and Skokomish tribal nations, and that other tribal peoples have resided,traveled
through and camped in these lands since time immemorial;and
WHEREAS,the county seat, Port Townsend, is located on ancestral lands of the S'Klallams/ Klallam, who call
the area Qatay;
WHEREAS, Jefferson County honors the Point No Point and Quinault River Treaties, as well as historic rights of
tribes as sovereign nations. Additionally, we participate in good faith consultation and Government-to-Government
relations; and
WHEREAS,the county values the many contributions Indigenous People have made to our community with their
knowledge, philosophy,arts, and the deep cultural influences which have shaped our county; and
WHEREAS, Jefferson County recognizes that systemic racism toward Indigenous People perpetuates high rates
of poverty, income inequality, health, education, and social crises, and endeavors to remove these barriers;and
WHEREAS, recent events such as the Covid-19 pandemic have shed light on the persistent, structural racism in
this country, resulting in disparities in health outcomes suffered by black, indigenous and people of color(BIPOC); and
WHEREAS,the idea of Indigenous Peoples' Day was first proposed in 1977 to the United Nations-sponsored
International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; and
WHEREAS, in 2011,the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians,representing fifty-nine tribal Nations, passed
Resolution #11-57 to"Support to Change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day; and
WHEREAS,Jefferson County joins a growing number of counties that have recognized the second Monday of
October as Indigenous Peoples' Day, creating an opportunity to promote learning,healing,appreciation, understanding,
friendship and partnerships among all peoples;
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED that the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners does
hereby proclaim the second Monday in October, 2023 as
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY
in Jefferson County, and encourage all to celebrate the thriving cultures and values of the Indigenous Peoples of our
region, to learn more about the history of Indigenous Peoples and their cultures,and to continue efforts to promote the
,'
well-being of our. s .enous communities.
A ' OD. i' •' •ay of October, 2023.
•j' • ' •''•. JEFFERS t N COUNTY
SEAL: : • • : S • COMMISSIONERS
• ' 'g :rotherton Chair
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4'••••••••• Kx Dean, Member
ATTEST: Tihour, Member
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Cafolyn G�Ilaway, lerk of th a Board Q
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JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Adiel McKnight, Executive Assistant
DATE: October 9, 2023
SUBJECT: PROCLAMATION re: Declaring Monday, October 9, 2023 as Indigenous
Peoples' Day
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Jefferson County will consider again joining a growing number of counties, cities and states that have
recognized the second Monday of October, 2023 as Indigenous People's Day, creating an opportunity to
promote appreciation, tolerance, understanding, friendship and partnerships-particularly with the Tribal
nations who lived, subsisted, congregated and traveled on the Olympic Peninsula lands and waters since time
immemorial.
ANALYSIS:
The County is committed to building strong working relationships with our tribal neighbors through formal
and informal Government-to-Government relations. Recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day is a good faith
effort to acknowledge that this County sits on tribal lands, to address the historic injustices that colonization
brought, and to build trust and understanding for present and future work together.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve and adopt the attached Proclamation re: Declaring Monday, October 9, 2023 as Indigenous Peoples'
Day.
REVIEWED BY:
41;103_
ark McCaul , County Administrator Date