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City of Tukwila <br />Allan Ekberg, Mayor <br />INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Committee of the Whole <br />FROM: Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst <br />DATE: October 20, 2020 <br />SUBJECT: Land Acknowledgement Practice <br />ISSUE <br />Some groups and agencies have adopted a practice of land acknowledgement, which is a <br />formal statement that pays tribute to the indigenous inhabitants of the local land. The King <br />County Committee of the Whole and the Seattle City Council's Land Use & Neighborhoods <br />Committee open with these statements. The Edmonds City Council has also incorporated <br />this practice into its Council meetings. <br />BACKGROUND <br />During a preliminary Council discussion on the matter, concerns were raised around legal or <br />political implications, types of events where this would be appropriate, as well as how to be <br />inclusive of other groups that have experienced historical injustices. The Committee of the <br />Whole discussed this again on March 23, 2020 and referred it to the Finance Committee for a <br />recommendation. <br />Staff is seeking Council direction on implementing a land acknowledgement practice, and if it <br />chooses to do so, in which types of events. Some options that emerged from prior Council <br />discussions are: <br />• Opening of City Council meetings <br />• Dedication of City facilities on public lands <br />• Plaque or other installation in city facilities (this was done in the new Station 51 and <br />Justice Center buildings and will also be incorporated into the new Fire Station 52) <br />• Statement on website or other media <br />• Statement about origin of the name Tukwila on City Council agendas <br />• City Council resolution of land acknowledgement <br />City staff sought advice from a cultural resources consultant when crafting the land <br />acknowledgement language to be included in the Stations 51,52 and Justice Center facilities. <br />That recommendation, which was implemented, is: <br />"The City of Tukwila is located on the ancestral lands of the Coast Satish people. We <br />acknowledge their continuing connections to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects <br />to their elders past, present and emerging." <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />This is presented for Committee discussion and recommendation. <br />