RES 2016-21 DECLARING THE SECOND MONDAY IN OCTOBER AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAYRESOLUTION NO. 2016-21
A RESOLUTION declaring the second Monday in October as Indigenous
Peoples Day in the City of Bainbridge Island; encouraging other institutions
to recognize this new special Day; and reaffirming the City's commitment
to promote respect for, and understanding of, the region's American Indian
and Indigenous community, their long history, and their continuing
contribution to contemporary society.
WHEREAS, the City of Bainbridge Island recognizes that the Indigenous Peoples of the ands and water
known as the Americas have occupied them since time immemorial; and
WHEREAS, the first inhabitants of what is now known as Bainbridge Island were the Indigenous
ancestors of the Suquamish People who occupied several villages along its shorelines, hunted, fished,
and gathered in its waters and on its land, and were respectful keepers of its resources; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes that the present community of Bainbridge Island is built upon territory
that prior to the Treaty of Point Elliott in 1855 belonged to the Suquamish Tribe; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous peoples from elsewhere in the UNITED STATES and Canada migrated to
Bainbridge Island beginning in the 1920s to work in the berry fields, met and intermarried with Filipino
immigrants, and began what is now known as Bainbridge Island's Indipino community, which has made
its own unique contribution to the Island's history and character; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bainbridge Island values the historic and contemporary contributions made to
this community by all of our Island's past and present Indigenous Peoples; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bainbridge Island affirms its opposition to the long legacy of racism towards
Indigenous Peoples, which has subjected them to social inequities and hardships, and recognizes their
resilience and enduring spirit; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bainbridge Island supports national and state policies and practices intended to
help close the equity gap for Indigenous Peoples through greater understanding and appreciation of their
collective experiences and by honoring their collective contribution to our history and national
character; 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 2011 the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, representing 59 Tribes from
Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Northern California, Western Montana and some Alaskan Tribes, passed
resolution 411-57 to "Support to Change Columbus Day (2nd Monday of October) to Indigenous
Peoples' Day"; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bainbridge Island aspires to protect and promote human rights, as set forth in
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and numerous other international human rights treaties, and
to do so in a spirit of mutual friendship and respect, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND
THAT:
Section 1. The City of Bainbridge Island strongly supports the proposition that Indigenous Peoples' Day
shall be an opportunity to celebrate the thriving cultures and values of the Indigenous Peoples of the
region.
Section 2. The City of Bainbridge Island affirms that it is City policy to fund and participate in yearly
Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations and activities, working cooperatively with local Tribes, groups,
and citizens.
Section 3. The City of Bainbridge Island strongly encourages the Bainbridge Island Public School
District, along with private schools, to include the teaching of Indigenous Peoples history.
Section 4. The City of Bainbridge Island encourages other businesses, organizations, and public
institutions to also recognize Indigenous Peoples Day.
Section 5. In the spirit of these goals, the City of Bainbridge Island will update its official timeline
displayed in City Council Chambers with additional dates and information significant to Indigenous
Peoples, including the Island's Indipino community.
Section 6. With all of this in mind, and with a deep appreciation for our Island's long and diverse
history, the City Council of the City of Bainbridge Island declares the second Monday in October
as Indigenous Peoples Day in the City of Bainbridge Island.
PASSED by the City Council this 27th day of September, 2016.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 27th day of Sf-`- N' --M ""
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE
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Rosalind D. Lassoff, City Clerk
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: September 19, 2016
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: September 27, 2016
RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2016-21