Kenmore City Council proclaims the original peoples of this land in recognition of Native American Heritage Month

On October 25th Rudolph C. Rÿser accepted on behalf of CWIS the following proclamation.

Read the proclamation and Dr. Rÿser’s response.

City of Kenmore, Washington 

Native American Heritage Month November 2021 

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Indigenous peoples, the “First People”, are culturally distinct ethnic groups who are native to North America which was later colonized and resettled by other ethnic groups; and 

WHEREAS, Native Americans are descendants of the original, indigenous inhabitants of what is now the United States; and

WHEREAS, during National Native American Heritage Month we celebrate the rich tapestry of Native peoples and honor their sacrifices, which we recognize as inextricably woven into the history of this country; and

WHEREAS, Native Americans have moving stories of tragedy, triumph, and perseverance that need to be shared with future generations; and

WHEREAS, Native Americans have enriched our heritage and continue to add to all aspects of our society through their generosity of culture and the continued practice of teaching economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability; and

WHEREAS, the Kenmore renews its commitment to protecting the tribal sovereignty and self-determination of Native American peoples; and

WHEREAS, the City of Kenmore is committed to participating in dialogues, led by tribal communities, around the opportunities in the areas of self-determination, sovereignty, and cultural preservation, to create an active government-to government collaboration; and

WHEREAS, On April 19, 2021, the City Council passed a unanimous motion to change the name of Squire’s Landing Park to Tl’ awh-ah-dees (ƛ’ a Xw a d  i s), to a more appropriate Lushootseed name translating to “a place where something is grown or sprouts” ; and

WHEREAS, we repeat that we stand on the traditional land of the first people of Kenmore and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Coast Salish peoples who thrive in this place alive and strong; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, David Baker, Mayor of the City of Kenmore, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim November 2021, Native American Heritage Month in the City of Kenmore and invite residents to join in this observance. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, signed this 25th day of October 2021 

Response

Thank you Mayor David Baker and the Kenmore City Council for your Proclamation celebrating the original peoples of this land issued in recognition of Native American Heritage Month

The strength of your Proclamation rests in the affirmation of the original peoples of the land where the City of Kenmore is now located. Your Proclamation states your commitment to enter into dialogue with tribal leaders to advance self-determination, recognize tribal sovereignty and recognize traditional culture as part of a government-to-government collaboration. 

Your insightful Proclamation is well received in recognition of the Muckleshoot, Snohomish and Stillaguamish peoples who are the original occupants of the territorial space now partly occupied by the City of Kenmore as a result of the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliot. 

On behalf of the Center for World Indigenous Studies, an education, research and public policy organization established in 1979 by the decision of tribal leaders at a Conference of Tribal Governments in Tumwater Washington I am proud to accept this important Proclamation.