The below email was sent to City of Seattle employees:
Fellow City Employees,
This coming Monday, October 10, we will celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an official City of Seattle holiday for the first time in Seattle’s history. This day means more than just a day off for City employees and a parking holiday, it is a chance to reflect on Seattle’s commitment to honor the legacy and ongoing contributions of our American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities.
We – Mayor Bruce Harrell and Council President Debora Juarez – are writing to you together with the hope that Indigenous Peoples’ Day inspires us all to reflect on who we are as a city. This day is about remembering the history of the land we are privileged to live on and the people who were here long before. And it is about looking to the future and how we can better serve our Indigenous communities and everyone who calls Seattle home.
Our city is indelibly connected to Indigenous Peoples. Seattle was named after Chief Si’ahl (also known as Chief Sealth) of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes and was built on the lands of the Coast Salish people who occupied them since time immemorial. But it is up to each of us to make these connections more than historical artifacts.
As City employees, it is up to us to take up the mantle of stewardship to care for the land and the people who call it home. It is up to us to address the generations of harm that have led to Indigenous Peoples being disproportionately more likely to experience discrimination, economic inequality, and homelessness. It is up to us to ensure the Duwamish Valley and tribal lands have access to clean air and water after decades of industrial use. It is up to us to re-commit every day to building a more just, equitable, and welcoming city for the many peoples who live here.
The City will be partnering with employee and tribal communities for three different celebratory events on October 10 which are open to the public. Find more information here. For questions about holiday schedules and eligibility, please review City Personnel Rules or contact your department HR representative.
Thank you for all you do every day on behalf of our city,
Mayor Bruce Harrell
Council President Debora Juarez