HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 03 Indigenous Peoples' Day Proclamation
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the City of Springfield recognizes the Indigenous peoples of the lands that would later
become known as the Americas have lived on these lands since time immemorial; and
WHEREAS, the City honors the fact that the City of Springfield is built upon the traditional
homelands of the Kalapuya peoples and recognizes the inherent sovereignty of the nine federally-
recognized tribal nations in the State of Oregon and all Indigenous peoples everywhere; and
WHEREAS, the City values the many contributions made to our community through Indigenous
peoples’ knowledge, labor, technology, science, philosophy, arts and the deep cultural contribution
that
has substantially shaped the character of the City of Springfield; and
WHEREAS, the City has a responsibility to oppose the systematic racism and colonization toward
Indigenous people in the United States, which perpetuates high rates of poverty and income inequality,
exacerbating disproportionate health, education, and social crises; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to
the United Nations’ sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous
Populations in the Americas; and
WHEREAS, the City is committed to protecting and advocating for justice, human rights, and the
dignity of all people who live and work in Springfield and vows to uphold the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the “Declaration”) endorsed by the United States on
December 16, 2010; and
WHEREAS, the Declaration recognizes the right of Indigenous peoples “to the dignity and diversity of
their cultures, traditions, histories and aspirations which shall be appropriately reflected in education
1and public information ,” and places an obligation in States to “take effective measures, in consultation
and cooperation with the indigenous peoples concerned, to combat prejudice and eliminate
discrimination and to promote tolerance, understanding and good relations among indigenous peoples
2and all other segments of society” ; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Joe Pishioneri, Council President of the City Council for the City of
Springfield, Oregon, proclaim support of the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second
Monday in October and ask the citizens of Springfield to utilize this day as an opportunity to reflect on
the ongoing struggles of Indigenous people of this land, to celebrate the thriving cultures and values of
the Indigenous Peoples of our region, and to stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples elsewhere;
encourage other businesses, organizations, and public institutions to recognize Indigenous Peoples’
Day on the second Monday in October; and commit to continue efforts to promote the well-being and
growth of Springfield’s Indigenous community.
________________________________
Joe Pishioneri
Council President
1 United Nations General Assembly. 2007. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Art. 15 ¶ 1.
2 Id. at Art. 15 ¶ 2.