Honoring Edmonds School District Tribal Land

Honoring Edmonds School District Tribal Land

Posted on 03/22/2019

Our district has launched a new initiative aimed at honoring the traditional indigenous inhabitants of the land we occupy. Did you know that Edmonds School District’s 36 square mile boundary is the traditional homeland to many Coastal Salish Tribes? The tribes granted the use of the land, including surrounding areas, to the United States via the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855 while retaining their rights.

In partnership with the US Department of Arts and Culture, our Indian Education program is helping us join the movement to make the acknowledgment of traditional lands a regular practice at public and private events. This acknowledgment is a simple, powerful way of showing respect and a step toward correcting the stories and practices that erase Indigenous people’s history and culture and toward inviting and honoring the truth.

You may notice at the next school or community meeting you attend that as part of meeting welcome you hear this:

“We respectfully acknowledge that this meeting is being held on the traditional lands of Duwamish, Skokomish, Snohomish, Snoqualmie, and Suquamish and other Coast Salish Tribes.”

For questions and more information, please contact Laura Wong-Whitebear, District Indian Education.