Title
Special Recognition – Proclamation Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Proclaim October 12, 2026 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the City of Olympia.
Report
Issue:
Whether to proclaim October 12, 2026 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the City of Olympia.
Staff Contact:
Olivia Salazar de Breaux, Culture and Belonging Manager, Olympia Parks, Arts, and Recreation Department, 360.753.8343.
Presenter(s):
Kris Peters, Squaxin Island Tribe Chairman
Squaxin Island Tribe Council representatives
Background and Analysis:
Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations sponsored International Conference on the Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas. It is a day to recognize and celebrate Indigenous heritage, culture, and history while honoring past, current and future generations. The City of Olympia encourages all residents to become more aware of the significance of this celebration and its role in the heritage of our nation and City.
The Squaxin Island Tribe’s habitation of what is now Olympia spans thousands of years. The ancestral families who lived and thrived here named it Steh-Chass and occupied prosperous villages along the shores. Today, the Squaxin people continue stewardship of these ancestral lands, from the Deschutes watershed and what is now Budd Inlet. The Squaxin Island Tribe and City of Olympia honor the Medicine Creek Treaty and have established a strong government-to-government relationship between the two sovereigns.
On October 8, 2026, the City of Olympia will re-sign and re-affirm their Accord with the Squaxin Island Tribe in the spirit of understanding and mutual respect, and committed to the following long term-actions:
Coordinate and cooperate to support economic and infrastructure opportunities.
Collaborate to protect natural resources and respond to cl...
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