Events celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day begin on Friday

By KASI MARITA PERREIRA

Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2022 on Monday, Oct. 10 is being recognized in cities, counties, school districts and worksites across Washington state. Several in-person and virtual events are being hosted this weekend by local Indigenous organizers, tribes, community groups and local governments.

As highlighted in the 2022 WSLC Convention Resolution #10 on Race and the Labor Movement 4.0, the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO:

“Institutionalized the practice of starting all WSLC events, in person and virtual, with a tribal land acknowledgement and Code of Conduct in order to invite our labor community to join in the continued learning, decolonization and acknowledgement of the historical violence of forced, unpaid labor by stolen people on stolen land; and… the WSLC renews its support of the 2017 Resolution in Support of Council Fire, proclaiming solidarity with Indigenous Peoples, the original occupants of the Americas and in support of the formation of a constituency group for Indigenous labor.”

As our labor movement is a movement of all people, including Indigenous and tribal members, the WSLC encourages all union members and working people to join the council in going beyond land acknowledgements and to learn more and connect with local tribes.

In addition to events listed below, take time to review a resource from AFT Washington members David Ortiz and Tracy Lai, who sit on their union’s executive board as well as Human Rights Committee, “Building and Sustaining Tribal Relations.”

“Indigenous Peoples Day is not a substitution for Columbus Day,” said Ortiz, who also serves on the WSLC Racial Justice Committee. “Indigenous Peoples Day is not a short-term replacement for Columbus Day. The day is one of celebrating Indigenous knowledge, wisdom, and resilience. The day should remind all non-tribal members of the ongoing efforts made by tribal communities to self-govern and preserve their sovereignty. In organized labor, there is an opportunity to foster meaningful relationships with tribal communities and make Indigenous Peoples’ Day — more than a day, but an entire future built upon mutual trust and collaboration.”

Here are some in-person and virtual events:

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Rally for #ChinookJustice — Friday, Oct. 7 starting at 11:30 a.m. at in-person at Marshall House, 1301 E. Evergreen Blvd. in Vancouver or virtually via Facebook livestream. Support #ChinookJustice on Oct. 7, the Friday before Indigenous Peoples’ Day, to encourage U.S. senators from Washington and Oregon to champion the Chinook Restoration Act.

Bainbridge Island – 3 events at BARN, 8890 Three Tree Lane NE in Bainbridge Island:

Traditional Drum Making Workshop — Sunday, Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in BARN’s Great Room. Chief Dale Harry, a Hereditary Chief of Squamish Nation, BC, will facilitate this workshop where participants will lace their own elk or deer hide over a 14-inch maple frame. At the end of the workshop, Chief Dale will share the teachings of the drum, lead a community-building talking circle and teach a Coast Salish drum song to be sung the following day at the BARN Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration.

Community Gathering and Welcoming Song — Monday, Oct. 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the BARN Commons. Join with others in celebration with food and friendship. All are welcome. Fry bread and fry bread tacos will be available for purchase, with free lemonade and cookies available to all. At 6:45 p.m., there will be a welcome song and drumming led by Chief Dale Harry. Those who wish may learn the song in a practice with Chief Dale from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.

Honor Thy Mother: the Untold Story of Aboriginal Women and Their Indipino Children — Monday, Oct. 10 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This film screening and panel discussion is free, but registration is required.

Coast Salish Territory (Seattle) – 3 events on Monday, Oct. 10:

Celebratory March from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m starting at Westlake Park, 400 Pine St. Bring your drums and tribal flags.

Time Immemorial from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Ave.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Daybreak Star Cultural Center Evening Celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, 5011 Bernie Whitebear Way in Seattle featuring a program, dinner, performers and cultural sharing. Volunteer here.

Indigenous People’s Day Celebration – Squaxin Island Tribe and City of Olympia — Monday, Oct. 10 from 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Squaxin Park, 2600 East Bay Drive NE in Olympia. Parking at the park is limited so attendees are encouraged to carpool, take an Intercity Transit bus, or use a complimentary event shuttle service at the east side of the Olympia Farmer’s Market District parking lot. The shuttle will run every half hour starting at 11 a.m., with the last shuttle pickup at 2 p.m. Call 360-753-8343 for shuttle details.

Daughter of a Lost Bird — Monday, Oct. 10 from 5 to 9 p.m. in Syre Auditorium, Whatcom Community College, 237 W Kellogg Road in Bellingham. The screening of this award-winning documentary will include a discussion and Q&A with Protagonist and Producer Kendra Mylnechuk Potter and Director and Producer Brooke Pepion Swaney. The event is free for all, including free parking. For those unable to attend in person, a recording of the event will be available here after the event.

Kasi Marita Perreira is Director of Racial and Gender Justice for the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO. She can be reached at kperreira@wslc.org or 206-486-0451.