Aug 28, 2014 - For Immediate Release: Seattle City Council to Vote on Changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day
For Immediate Release
CITY OF SEATTLE COUNCIL TO VOTE ON CHANGING COLUMBUS DAY TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY
Time: 12:00 Noon-3:00 pm*
Date: September 2nd, 2014
Place: Upper Terrace, Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
*Seattle City Council meeting begins at 2:00 PM
Contact: Matt Remle
(206) 639-3610
e-mail mcremle@hotmail.com
Members of Seattle’s Urban and Reservation Native Communities’ invite you to show your support at City Hall on September 2nd when the City of Seattle Council will vote on a city resolution initiated by members of the Native community and co-sponsored by Council-members Kshama Sawat and Bruce Harrell to rename Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Seattle.
Please join us for this historic vote through your support by bringing your songs, drums, supporting words and signs. Wear something indigenous!
Speakers will include: Senator Claudia Kauffman (Nez Perce), Shanoa Pinkham (Yakama) Miss Indian Nations 2011-12; Matt Remle (Hunkpapa Lakota) Last Real Indians; and others to support abolishing Columbus Day and declare this day Indigenous Peoples’ Day and encourage Seattle Public Schools to teach the history of indigenous peoples to this region and the United States.
“Columbus Day as a national, and international, phenomenon reflects a much larger dynamic that promotes myriad myths and historical lies that have been used through the ages to dehumanize Indians, justifying the theft of our lands, the attempted destruction of our nations and the genocide against our people.”
– Russell Means and Glenn Morris
The purpose of this resolution is for the City of Seattle to:
• Strongly support that Indigenous Peoples’ Day be an opportunity to celebrate the thriving cultures and values of Indigenous Peoples’ of our region; and,
• Strongly encourage Seattle Public Schools to include the teaching of indigenous peoples’ history as recommended by 2005 Washington State House Bill 1495 sponsored by Rep. John McCoy; and,
• Encourage other businesses, organizations, and public institutions to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day; and,
• Firmly commit to continue its efforts to promote the well-being and growth of Seattle’s American Indian and Indigenous community.
This City Resolution is supported and/or endorsed by:
1)The Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians; 2) Last Real Indians; 3) The Seattle Human Rights Commission; 4) Youth Undoing Institutional Racism; 5) the Peoples’ Institute Northwest; 6) The American Friends Service Committee Community Justice Program, 7) Huy; 8) Native Action Network; 9) The Northwest Indian Bar Association; 10) The Swinomish Indian Tribe; 11) The Tulalip Tribes; 12) The United Indians of All Tribes Foundation.