HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIN 2020-11-23 Item 1B - 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 Updated November 17, 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
Tukwila's earliest residents were members of the Duwamish Tribe who made their homes
along the Black and Duwamish Rivers. The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is the closet federally
recognized tribe. The Duwamish received acknowledgement from the federal government in
2001. but the decision was reversed in 2002 and the case is still Deriding with the Interior
Board of Indian Appeals.
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. The toxic was Dlaced on hold for a Dortion of 2020 when Governor Inslee
Droclaimed Citv Council business should be limited to COVID-related matters. which has since
been lifted.
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
• ODeninq of Planning Commission meetings and Citv Council meetings where agenda
items pertain to land use.
If
INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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The City has closely worked with a cultural resources consultant and tribal liaison, Holly
Taylor, of Past Forward NW Cultural Services, on projects such as the Duwamish Hill Preserve.
Ms. Taylorprovided advice on the land acknowledgement installation 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 Salish
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. When last discussed at the
October 26, 2020 meeting, the Committee directed staff to reach out by email to the
Duwamish and Muckleshoot for feedback on the City's effort toward appropriate use of a land
acknowledgement. No response has been received at the time of this writing, although
Councilmember McLeod has been in recent communication with Cecile Hansen and Jolene
Haas of the Duwamish Tribal Services Board of Directors.
If the City Council decides to move forward with a regular land acknowledgement practice,
staff recommends usingthe a language advised by Ms. Taylor above.
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