Resolution 1393RESOLUTION NO. 1393
A RESOLUTION DECLARING THAT THE
SECOND MONDAY IN OCTOBER WILL BE
KNOWN AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY IN
THE CITY OF EDMONDS.
WHEREAS, Columbus Day is observed as a federal holiday, established by order of
President Roosevelt in 1937, and is officially recognized by some cities and states around the
country on the second Monday of October, although is not an official City of Edmonds holiday;
and
WHEREAS, Columbus Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the colonization of
North America by Europeans and the development over the past 500-plus years of a unique, diverse
and complex civilization unlike that of other parts of the world; and
WHEREAS, the European colonization of North America also led to the suppression,
forced assimilation, and genocide of Indigenous Peoples and their cultures; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous Coast Salish peoples, including Tulalip, Suquamish,
Stillaguamish, Lummi, and other tribes, inhabited the Puget Sound region that encompasses the
shorelands and uplands of Edmonds for thousands of years, using the area now known as
Edmonds to harvest salmon, shellfish and land -based resources,
WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples of the Puget Sound region enjoyed and exhibited a rich,
diverse culture and enduring spirit that continues to be present and celebrated to this day in
Edmonds and throughout the region; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous culture is enshrined in sovereign tribal nations throughout the
region, memorialized in case law that recognizes historic fishing and water rights, and is celebrated
and recounted in the statewide "Since Time Immemorial" curriculum required since 2015 in the
public schools; and
WHEREAS, the City of Edmonds values the historic and contemporary contributions
made to this community by all our region's past and present Indigenous Peoples; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples' Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of
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Native Nations 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 59 Tribes
from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Northern California, Western Montana and some Alaskan
Tribes, passed resolution #11-57:"Support to Change Columbus Day (2nd Monday of October)
to Indigenous Peoples' Day"; and
WHEREAS, other cities and states around the nation, including such regional
jurisdictions as Lynnwood, Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Spokane and Yakima, have acted to
proclaim the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day; and
WHEREAS, the celebration of Columbus Day represents only a part of the history of this
country's and region's cultural evolution; and
WHEREAS, officially recognizing Indigenous Peoples on the second Monday of October
would help provide a more balanced representation of our region's cultural history and constitute
a small act of restitution for the hardships endured by Indigenous Peoples since the onset of
European colonization of the Americas; and
WHEREAS, the residents and elected leaders of the City of Edmonds embrace an open
and affirming community that celebrates diversity and rejects oppression of minority peoples,
including Indigenous Peoples; and
WHEREAS, the City of Edmonds is committed to promoting respect for, and
understanding of, the region's indigenous community, their long history, and their continuing
contribution to contemporary society.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF EDMONDS, AND THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The second Monday in October, currently recognized as a federal holiday known as
Columbus Day, will be known in the City of Edmonds as Indigenous Peoples Day.
Section 2. The City Council and Mayor encourage residents, businesses, organizations and public
institutions in Edmonds also to memorialize and celebrate Indigenous Peoples on the second
Monday of October.
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Section 3. The City Council and Mayor encourage residents, businesses, organizations and public
institutions in Edmonds to take steps to acquire a more complete and balanced history of this
continent's and region's development since the arrival of European settlers, including an
understanding of the contributions made by Indigenous Peoples, together with the hardships and
sacrifices endured by Indigenous Peoples.
RESOLVED this 19th day of September, 2017.
APPROVED:
Mi Nelson, Council President Pro Tern
Dave Teitzel, Cv ilmember
ATTE S PAUTHENTI CATED :
CITY CLERK, S PASSEY
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Tom Mesaros, Council President
istiana Johnson, Cvuncilm ber
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Adrienne Fraley-Monil& Cuncilmember
Neil Tibbott, Councilmember