Indigenous Peoples’ Day marks decade of recognition in Seattle

SEATTLE — Ten years after Seattle first recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day, about 200 people marked the occasion with a march through Pioneer Square.

The Seattle City Council unanimously approved a resolution in 2014 designating the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, recognizing Native communities that have lived in the Americas for thousands of years and were forever changed by colonialism. In March 2022, it became an official city holiday along with Juneteenth.

President Joe Biden was the first president to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day nationally in 2021. Although a growing number of federal, state and city leaders have begun observing the holiday, many around the country still celebrate Columbus Day. Indigenous groups and other activists have called on Americans to not celebrate Christopher Columbus, the navigator the federal holiday is named after.

Many displayed symbols of their Coast Salish heritage as they marched Monday morning from Pier 62 and up Dzidzilalich (pronounced DZEE-dzuh-LAH-leech), the honorary Lushootseed name for Alaskan Way meaning “little crossing-over place.” They made their way to Pioneer Square, singing traditional songs, beating on drums and holding tribal flags.

The group formed a circle at Western Avenue and Madison Street, where Duwamish Tribe council member Kenneth Workman spoke about the land’s ancient connection to the Duwamish people and performed Chief Dan George’s prayer song.

“The land we’re standing on 162 years ago consisted of nothing but trees … and salmon and eagle,” Workman said. “It was a long time where we were not allowed to stand on the street like this.”

Taylor Cameron, 28, came down from Skagit County after hearing about years of marches in Seattle. Cameron, a member of the Snoqualmie Tribe, was enrolled last year and personally observed the holiday for the first time Monday.

“We’re still here, and we’re resilient people,” Cameron said. “I’m still relearning my culture and want to carry that on through generation to generation.”

Other events were planned throughout the day, including at downtown’s Westlake Park, the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Discovery Park and Bainbridge Island’s Woodward Middle School.