Snohomish County enacts Indigenous Peoples’ Day

EVERETT – Snohomish County north of Seattle will begin marking the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, following the lead of other local governments.

The Daily Herald reported that the County Council voted 5-0 Wednesday to make the change through a joint resolution with County Executive Dave Somers.

The resolution specifically recognizes the Coast Salish people of the Puget Sound region, including the Tulalip Tribes (who include the Snohomish, Snoqualmie and Skykomish people); as well as the Stillaguamish, Sauk-Suiattle, Suquamish and Lummi tribes.

Representatives from two civil rights groups, the Communities of Color Coalition and the Snohomish County Chapter of the NAACP, spoke in favor of the resolution.

The idea of observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day originated in 1977. It falls on the same day that many communities observe Columbus Day.