PORT TOWNSEND — The second Monday in October was unanimously proclaimed Indigenous Peoples Day in Jefferson County by the county commissioners during Monday’s meeting.
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe Chairwoman Frances Charles, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Council member Kurt Grinnell and Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Youth Services Specialist Joe Price and their family and friends accepted the proclamation with appreciation.
Elaine Grinnell, 82, a Jamestown S’Klallam elder, offered a prayer for the day.
“My dear Creator, as we stand here before you with all this energy to make this day whatever it will be today — a very happy one, a very solid one of partnership and community,” she said. “We are thankful for all that you give us. And we are hopeful that we will be able to fulfill your expectations for us.”
Drumming and “The Happy Song” were performed in gratitude for the honor.
Kurt Grinnell, who is also chairman of the Jamestown S’Klallam Natural Resources Committee, expressed the importance of the recognition of the day.
“On behalf of the Jamestown Tribal Council, we’d like to send out a thank you to the commissioners and the city of Port Townsend for honoring the S’Klallam people that you see here today. All of our tribes, we all started here and we love this area.
“We have truly embraced the citizenry of Port Townsend since the beginning and we so appreciate your friendship and all the support you’ve given us throughout the years, and for all the support you’ve given us as a people.”
Commissioner David Sullivan said the history of the local tribes impacts everyone.
“Understanding your history and your diversity really enriches everybody’s experiences,” he said.
In a letter to the commission, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Chair Ron Allen was delighted to have Indigenous Peoples Day recognized.
“As everyone has learned, the indigenous people of America are a very vibrant part and contribute to the welfare of our society. Our community joins all the local tribes in raising our hands to Jefferson County in respectful acknowledgement.”
Commissioner Kate Dean spoke on the importance of the day.
“Joining hundreds of cities and counties around the country, recognizing that the ground we live on has been inhabited by our tribal neighbors for thousands of years,” she said.
“We know that this land was taken, usually by force by European settlers. The legacy of colonization has caused extreme hardship for tribes here and across the United States. Despite this fraught history, the Olympic Peninsula tribes continue to thrive and I want to recognize all of the tribes that have rights in Jefferson County: the Hoh, the Quinault, the Quileute, the Makah, the Lower Elwha Klallam, the Jamestown S’Klallam, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Skokomish and the Suquamish.
“Your cultures provide enormous inspiration in my work to protect the environment, to care for family and to honor elders” she said. “We respect our sovereign tribal neighbors, you and our government-to-government relations, and strive to uphold and defend your tribal treaty rights.
“You are an inspiration to me to honor the land that I have a very small part in protecting and I look forward to doing this work together.”
Loni Grinnell-Greninger, deputy director of social and community services for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, said the day was historic.
“As a young person, it’s an honor to be here to witness history. As I grew up, it was always Columbus Day. Also, it was an extra day off from school.
“But this is a different day today, and I get to be a part of it. It’s a true honor to be part of it. As a witness of this occasion I get to take this to the next generation after me. Thank you for being part of our history.”
Wendy Samson of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and a teacher of the Klallam language, offered a thought in the Klallam language and then translated it into English.
“My heart is happy to be here today,” Samson said. “I’m happy to see all of these beautiful people and friends.”
Commissioner Kathleen Kler was touched by Samson’s expression.
“Words carry so much meaning and when they are your words from your culture, it holds more than we can know. I wish blessings and success on continuing the language for your people.”
This year, the cities of Port Townsend and Port Angeles made similar proclamations to honor the area’s tribes.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com.
Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Elder Elaine Grinnell offers a prayer with her son, tribal council member Kurt Grinnell, and granddaughter Loni Grinnell-Greninger, deputy director of social and community services, during the Jefferson County commissioners’ meeting Monday. Along with the Jamestown S’Klallam, representatives from the Port Gamble S’Klallam and the Lower Elwha were given a proclamation declaring Oct. 8 as Indigenous People’s Day. (Jeannie McMacken/Peninsula Daily News)
