curated by Vee Hua 華婷婷
by Tony A. (naschio) Johnson, chairman of the Chinook Indian Nation
The federal government has proclaimed Indigenous Peoples’ Day to recognize the inherent sovereignty of Tribal Nations and to uphold treaty obligations. This long-overdue recognition and celebration of Native cultures is critically important, but for tribes like ours — the Chinook Indian Nation — this day is also a reminder of the ongoing injustice being committed against our people by the federal government of the United States. We have recently redoubled our long-standing efforts by inviting leaders from Washington and Oregon — U.S. Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) — to correct a 20-plus-year injustice by introducing and championing to completion legislation that restores federal recognition for the Chinook Indian Nation. In meetings with the U.S. senators, we continue to hear clear support for our cause, but every day of inaction is another day of injustice for our people, and it’s past time for these leaders to take the lead and take a stand for #ChinookJustice.
Continue reading OPINION | This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Chinook Indian Nation Deserves Justiceby Amanda Ong
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is this Monday, Oct. 10, a day to recognize the Indigenous peoples on whose land Seattle was built, and to come together and celebrate them and their cultures.
Continue reading How to Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the South Endcurated by Vee Hua 華婷婷
by Rae Rose
Christopher the Ogre Cologre, It’s Over!, by Dr. Oriel María Siu with illustrations by Víctor Zúñiga, is a children’s book written to challenge historical misconceptions resulting from the way history is currently taught: with bias, from a colonizer’s point of view. By contrast, Dr. Siu’s new book speaks from the heart of Indigenous endurance, highlighting the strength of spirit we pass with love from one generation to the next.
Continue reading New Children’s Book Speaks Truth Through an Indigenous Lensby Miriam Zmiewski-Angelova in collaboration with Storme Webber, Brit Reed, Leanne Rye Brock, and Kailyn Jordan
Since the 2014 passing of the Native led resolution to turn the second Monday of every October into Indigenous Peoples’ Day, replacing Christopher Columbus Day (murderer of Indigenous peoples, rapist, and prolific slave trader), the holiday has honored the legacy and solidarity of Indigenous communities in Seattle for years. Today, on Indigenous Peoples Day 2020, it is a somber reality that we cannot celebrate in the same ways as the past because of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. Our country is also facing the compounding effects of public outcry against the ongoing violence and deaths of Black and Brown bodies at the hands of law enforcement, increased incidences of threats and violence by various white supremacist groups, the collapse of many healthcare, employment, education, and housing systems due to a struggling economy, and an incredibly contentious presidential election.
Continue reading Reflection: Black-Native People Are Living Proof of Our Ancestors’ Strengthby Susan Fried
Led by Indigenous Sisters Resistance, Indigenous Peoples’ Day rally attendees sang, “today is for us, Indigenous people, rise up, sing loud, celebrate and be proud,” their words ringing through Westlake Park on Oct. 14.
by Carolyn Bick
Despite its large, open space, Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center was almost overflowing Monday evening, many generations of Indigenous people packing the center for the fifth annual Indigenous People’s Day celebration.
by Matt Remle
“Columbus Day as a national, and international, phenomenon reflects a much larger dynamic that promotes myriad myths and historical lies that have been used through the ages to dehumanize Indians, justifying the theft of our lands, the attempted destruction of our nations and the genocide against our people.” —Russell Means & Glenn Morris
It should be understood, with little explanation, why the federal holiday Columbus Day is so deeply problematic. Columbus is celebrated by Euro colonizers for having “discovered” the New World. Of course, Indigenous inhabitants, whom have lived in the so-called “New World” since time immemorial, would greatly dispute that Columbus discovered anything.
Continue reading Reclaiming History: Why We Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day
