“I don’t believe in magic. I believe in the sun and the stars, the water, the tides, the floods, the owls, the hawks flying, the river running, the wind talking. They’re measurements. They tell us how healthy things are. How healthy we are. Because we and they are the same. That’s what I believe in.” ~Billy Frank Jr.
For the month of November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month. This month is to celebrate the heritage, culture, stories, contributions, and strength of our local as well as all American Indian, Alaska Native, Native American, and Indigenous communities. Prior to European colonization, they had lived here for thousands of years. During that time, they built many Nations that created thriving, powerful, and diverse cultures. Thousands of years of traditions, practices, languages, and knowledge—with much of this still enduring to this day even with the violent colonization this country has inflicted on their Nations and communities.
In King County, we have Indigenous peoples from Tribal nations across the country. There are 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington. King County is on the unceded ancestral lands of the Muckleshoot (Ilalkoamish, Stuckamish, and Skopamish), Snoqualmie, Puyallup, Tulalip, and Suquamish Tribes, and Coast Salish individuals who are not enrolled in federally recognized tribes. Each of these Nations come with their own diverse cultures—with knowledge and practices that still benefit us to this day. As activists, doctors, educators, artists, engineers, and leaders in every part of society, Indigenous people have continued to make countless contributions to this county and country.
We see this when they take the lead in fostering land stewardship. Recently, there has been a community-led restoration project near Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Discovery Park to reinstate sweetgrass. Sweetgrass used to thrive and grow throughout western Washington. It was used for weaving, until European colonization, when it was overtaken be invasive species and Indigenous stewards were removed from the shorelines. Now it is slowly being brought back, bringing with it knowledge and traditions.
We can also see this in community. For example, the United Indians of All Tribes Foundations provides culturally appropriate educational, social, and cultural services to American Indians, Alaska Native, Native American, and Indigenous peoples throughout Western Washington. They also provide community-wide cultural events and activities. This is just one of the many Indigenous-led organizations that do so much for the communities around them.
This is a month of many things— the celebration of heritage and culture, remembrance, and joy. Yet, we cannot forget the 500+ years of colonization, racism, and genocide that has been inflicted on Indigenous people, with white supremacy and colonialism still impacting communities today. It is a day to reaffirm our commitment to respecting Tribal sovereignty and self-determination. It is also a day to reflect and work to change our policies and structures that are imbedded in racism. Together, we must all continues to grow as better allies, so that we may stand with our Indigenous communities.