GHC Celebrates Indigenous Peoples' Day

Posted on: Oct, 10, 2022

Grays Harbor College Logo

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October, on October 10 this year, to honor the cultures and histories of the Native American people. In celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, GHC President, Dr. Ed Brewster, sent the message below to the college community.

Greetings GHC Community,

Last spring GHC’s Board of Trustees adopted a land acknowledgement to honor and respect the Tribal Nations whose ancestral lands are occupied by Grays Harbor College. Today, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I encourage you to review and reflect on our land acknowledgement statement and the Indigenous People’s Day Statement of Recognition below.

GHC Indigenous Peoples’ Day Statement of Recognition

Grays Harbor College proclaims its honor and respect for Indigenous Native Nations on Indigenous Peoples’ day, Oct 10, 2022.  Recognition for Native Nation sovereignty and for the inspirational resilience connected to tribal existence highlights Indigenous contributions since from time immemorial. We commit to continued support of our Native students and their success in the classroom and into their future.

First proposed at the United Nations in 1977, it wasn’t until 1989 that the first U.S. state, South Dakota, replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ day, officially celebrating it the following year. Last year marked the first time a U.S. President officially proclaimed an Indigenous People’s Day observance.

As we celebrate today, I encourage you to learn more about this holiday that has such a significance to our region.

  • Read this article about Indigenous People’s Day from the University of Washington to learn more about why we celebrate.
  • See how local schools are commemorating Indigenous People’s Day in this article from the Daily World.
  • Visit https://native-land.ca/ to find out whose land you are on and learn more about nations, languages, and treaties.
  • Stream Netflix’s new animated series, “Spirit Rangers,” which provides all ages with the chance to see Native kids on TV who are conserving the National Park they live and work in.
  • Watch the recording of the Chinook Indian Nation’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day Rally for Chinook Justice, which took place on Friday.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates and honors the traditions and cultures of Indigenous People, not only in the United States, but around the world. It serves as a reminder of the contributions, both past and present, of Indigenous communities and tribal nations. Please take a moment to join me in celebrating today.

Sincerely,

Ed Brewster, GHC President