Resolution of Indigenous Peoples’ Day Proclamation
The Washington State University Graduate and Professional Student Association Resolution 2018.01
Approved by GPSA Senate: 11/5/18
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, in 2011 the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, representing Tribes from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Northern California, Western Montana and some Alaskan Tribes, passed resolution #11-57: “Support to Change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day”; and
WHEREAS, on September 28, 2018 Washington State University passed and signed a resolution to recognize and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day; recognizing that the university campuses were built upon the homelands of the Indigenous communities of the Pacific Northwest who have occupied these lands since time immemorial; and
WHEREAS, on October 2, 2018 the City of Pullman passed and signed resolution R-86-18 declaring the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Pullman; affirming Pullman’s unequivocal commitment to promote respect for, and understanding of, the region’s Indigenous communities, its long history, and the continuing contribution of its people to Pullman; and
WHEREAS, the Graduate and Professional Student Association remembers the fact that the colonial takeovers of the Americas, starting with Columbus, led to the deaths of millions of Indigenous communities and the forced assimilation of survivors; and
WHEREAS, the Graduate and Professional Student Association acknowledges that one of these genocidal policies occurred through the institution of schools, which the US government operated as many as 100 boarding schools for Indigenous communities beginning in the 1870s, both on and off reservations, where children were sometimes taken forcibly by armed military, while the United States was still at war with Indigenous people in order to “Kill the Indian, and Save the Man”; and
WHEREAS, the Graduate and Professional Student Association acknowledges the findings from the United States federal government report of 1928: “The Problem of Indian Administration” also known as the “Meriam Report,” which found that Indigenous children at the United States federal boarding schools were malnourished, overworked, harshly punished and poorly educated; as well as acknowledging the many personal narratives from Indigenous communities whose first-hand accounts of these federal boarding schools have largely been ignored or silenced; and
WHEREAS, the Graduate and Professional Student Association opposes racism toward Indigenous communities of any origin and promotes policies and practices that reflect the experiences of Indigenous communities, ensure greater access and opportunity, and honor our community’s Indigenous roots, history, and contributions; and
WHEREAS, the Graduate and Professional Student Association acknowledges that Indigenous education dates back to a time when all children were identified as gifted and talented; that community members helped to identify and cultivate the skills and abilities of each child, which contributed to the overall health and vitality of the community; that elders were entrusted to oversee the sacred act of knowledge being shared;
AND, WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples’ Day offers an opportunity to reflect critically on the legacy of United States colonialism on Indigenous communities in order to work towards addressing the historical and contemporary issues identified by Indigenous communities; to celebrate the thriving culture and value that Indigenous communities add to Washington State University; and to recognize that Indigenous communities are the first inhabitants of the Americas, including the lands that Washington State University sits on, and urges Americans to rethink history;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Graduate and Professional Student Association:
Section 1. The second Monday in October will be remembered and celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, instead of Columbus Day, by the Graduate and Professional Student Association.
Section 2. The Graduate and Professional Student Association will actively encourage the student population to remember the colonial legacy of the United States federal government’s policies and practices on Indigenous communities and seek to understand the strength and hope of Indigenous communities today.
Section 3. The Graduate and Professional Student Association encourages the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students and the institutions affiliated in this organization to remember and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Signed by:
Amir Gilmore, GPSA President
David Silva, GPSA Executive Vice President
Josh Munroe, GPSA Vice President of Legislative Affairs