HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 02 2021 Indigenous Peoples' Day ProclamationINDIGENOUS 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 and 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 and all other segments of society, ,2
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean VanGordon, Mayor of the City of Springfield, Oregon, proclaim the second
Monday in October to be Indigenous Peoples' Day, 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.
Sean VanGordon
Mayor
SPRINGFIELD
OREGON
1 United Nations General Assembly. 2007. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Art. 15 ¶ 1.
2 Id. at Art. 15 12.