October 14th marks this year’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day – a reclaimed celebration of Indigenous Heritage that activists and advocates continue to fight for as a replacement for Columbus Day every October. Here are a few ways you might consider celebrating this year!
Attend a local event! This year’s celebrations are occurring throughout the city – you can find a comprehensive list of advocacy events and celebrations here!
Learn more about current advocacy and activism efforts! In recent months & years, Indigenous People and allies throughout the west coast region have been fighting for actions to aid in recovery of the local salmon population. Successes have included removal of dams along the Elwha, Rogue, and Klamath rivers, which you can read more about through Save our Wild Salmon.
There are also some wonderful children’s books on the topic, including I am the Elwha by Robert Elofson and Lori Peelen and The Heart of a River by Eileen Delehanty Pearkes.
To find more resources on Indigenous heritage and activism, particularly children’s books about various Salish Nations & their history, I highly suggest browsing selections through Indigenous-owned book sellers and publishers such as Strong Nations. Both of the books listed above are also available through their website
Find out more about the land you occupy, and the people who have been there since time immemorial! Our school resides on the traditional land of the Duwamish Tribe, the First People of Seattle, who continue to live in and steward the area through advocacy and reclamation efforts. You can learn more about their programs at the Duwamish Longhouse or by visiting their website: www.duwamishtribe.org