HomeMy WebLinkAboutLower Elwha Klallam Tribe ORT NGELES
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WASH I NGTON, U.S.A.
City Council
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November 22, 2017
Frances Charles
Chair-woman
Lower Elvaha Klallarrn Tribe
2851 l..cier Elha Road
Port Angeles,WA 98363
Re: Indigenous Peoples* Days
Deas`Chairwoman Charles,
InC�:early 2015* e City of Port Angeles has been cork towards identifying a date on
vhi h to recognize indigenous people. Initially discussed in a City Council meeting, I was
selected by my Council peers to work directly with local tribes to select a meaningful date for
recognition.
As you know it was important to the City that the Lower Elwha Tribal Council including
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yourself, be our first point of contact on than important recognition. We rust on.February 9,
2015,
�to discuss possible days and more importantly, to listen to the priorities expressed by
you and Tribal Council.
City Council specifically requested that we reach out to all Tribes in the area and apart born
the Lowey Llwha Kallam Tribe,only the Quileute Tribe and Jamestown Tribe responded to
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%;, p those requests.
Today, I am writing you in hopes that the City of Port Angeles can move this important
recognition forward. Attached I have summarized the dates and feedback considered and I
am hopeful we can agree on a date.
Char hope is that this date raises awareness about the importance of Tribal culture and
education in our community and beyond. I thank you for taking the time to support the City
in successfully identifying a date to celebrate our local heritage,
incerely,
rad Collins
Council Member
CC Dan McKeen, City Manager
Nathan West,Community and Fconornic Development Director
Phone: `417-4500 Fax: 360-417-4509!TTY: 360-417'-4645
Website: www.dtyofpa.us I Email: crammndgC:dt7ofpa.ma s
/� 21 East R th Street Port,ArigeVes„ "SPA 98362-0217
,
[Recipient Name]
November 22, 2017
Page 2
Attachment- Dates discussed for consideration
Date Significance Benefits Concerns
.-Marc
Billy Frank's Billy Frank earned The day is already
Birthday recognition through his recognized as Billy Frank Jr.
efforts to gain recognition Day
of tribal culture and
heritage
June 21 First Nations Consistency with our The day is close to the canoe
Day neighbors to the north journey and may interfere
would be valuable. The with preparations
cohesion could result in the
empowen-nent of the
holiday
May Say' Date of Billy The day would celebrate Celebrating Billy Frank's
Frank's the giant strides and birth would be better than
Death accomplishments that live celebrating his death
on due to the actions and
hard work of Billy Frank
May 13"' Congress Federal recognition Date has limited significance
Recognized to local tribes
American
Indian Day
September Three States Recognized by the State of Date has limited significance
28111(41h already California since 1968 to local tribes
Friday in recognize the
September) day as
American
Indian Day
November Day after Logical day for additional Day would get lost in the
24°°'(Third Thanksgiving holiday holidays
Friday of
November)
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