Posted on October 3, 2014

Seattle School Board Votes to Observe ‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day’ on Columbus Holiday

Fox 13 (Seattle), October 1, 2014

The Seattle School Board unanimously voted Wednesday to have public schools observe “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” on the second Monday of October–the same day as the Columbus Day federal holiday.

The resolution, in part, said the board “recognizes the fact that Seattle is built upon the homelands and villages of the Indigenous Peoples of this region, without whom the building of the City would not have been possible.”

The resolution also says the board “has a responsibility to oppose the systematic racism towards Indigenous people in the United States, which perpetuates high rates of poverty and income inequality, exacerbating disproportionate health, education and social crises.”

It urges district staff to “include the teaching of the history, culture and government of the indigenous peoples of our state.”

Click here to read the full resolution adopted by the school board.

The Seattle City Council will vote next Monday, Oct. 6, whether to celebrate   “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” on the same day as the Columbus Day holiday.

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