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Home My WebLink AboutFIN 2020-10-26 Item 1F - Discussion - Land Acknowledgement PracticeCity of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Committee of the Whole FROM: Laurel Humphrey, Legislative Analyst DATE: October 20, 2020 SUBJECT: Land Acknowledgement Practice ISSUE Some groups and agencies have adopted a practice of land acknowledgement, which is a formal statement that pays tribute to the indigenous inhabitants of the local land. The King County Committee of the Whole and the Seattle City Council's Land Use & Neighborhoods Committee open with these statements. The Edmonds City Council has also incorporated this practice into its Council meetings. BACKGROUND During a preliminary Council discussion on the matter, concerns were raised around legal or political implications, types of events where this would be appropriate, as well as how to be inclusive of other groups that have experienced historical injustices. The Committee of the Whole discussed this again on March 23, 2020 and referred it to the Finance Committee for a recommendation. Staff is seeking Council direction on implementing a land acknowledgement practice, and if it chooses to do so, in which types of events. Some options that emerged from prior Council discussions are: • Opening of City Council meetings • Dedication of City facilities on public lands • Plaque or other installation in city facilities (this was done in the new Station 51 and Justice Center buildings and will also be incorporated into the new Fire Station 52) • Statement on website or other media • Statement about origin of the name Tukwila on City Council agendas • City Council resolution of land acknowledgement City staff sought advice from a cultural resources consultant when crafting the land acknowledgement language to be included in the Stations 51,52 and Justice Center facilities. That recommendation, which was implemented, is: "The City of Tukwila is located on the ancestral lands of the Coast Satish people. We acknowledge their continuing connections to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging." RECOMMENDATION This is presented for Committee discussion and recommendation.