Seattle has officially acknowledged Indigenous Peoples Day since 2014, when the city council unanimously passed a resolution designating the second Monday in October as a day to honor local Native Americans and “fully recognize the evils of our past.”Â
Here are a few ways to mark the occasion — either on Monday itself or throughout the year:
Attend the Love Knows No Borders event at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Magnolia. This year’s annual celebration includes a community dinner and an evening of cultural performances from local tribes. Get all the details here.Â
Read up on local history. Before you head out to the ceremony, take the time to research the history of the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center and educate yourself on how Seattle’s local tribes were pushed out of their homes bit by bit over the course of several decades. For additional reading, check out “Native Seattle,” “The Bitter Waters of Medicine Creek,” or “Where the Salmon Run,” a book about the late, local activist Billy Frank Jr.
Play a Game. Potlatch is a card game based on the local indigenous tradition of gathering together to freely exchange goods. It’s designed by Seattleite Jonathan Tomhave and available to download here. Learn more in a Q&A we did with Jonathan earlier this year.Â
Visit the Burke Museum. It’s re-opening this weekend with an extensive collection of Native American art and a buzzy on-site restaurant serving indigenous-inspired cuisine.Â
Or check out another heritage site. Coast Salish artwork is scattered all over Seattle, and this guide from Visit Seattle features a map of local longhouses, public artwork, and more.
What’s missing from this list? Share your own ideas by sending a note to [email protected].Â