County recognizes Native American Heritage Month with proclamation and new Tribal Engagement Framework

November 27, 2024 1:30 am
Contributed photo by Erin Licata. A participant in the Madrona Institute’s Coast Salish Youth Stewardship Corps while on a Canoe Journey through the San Juan Islands.
Contributed photo by Erin Licata. A participant in the Madrona Institute’s Coast Salish Youth Stewardship Corps while on a Canoe Journey through the San Juan Islands.

Submitted by San Juan County

During the last October Council meeting, a proclamation was issued recognizing November 2024 as National Native American Heritage Month in San Juan County, and Nov. 29 as National Native American Heritage Day. In addition to the proclamation, during the Nov. 12 meeting, Council also passed a resolution solidifying San Juan County’s commitment to tribal engagement. This resolution adopted the County’s new Tribal Engagement Framework that will guide the County in tribal outreach efforts.

A proclamation

San Juan County’s proclamation recognizes that Native Americans have inhabited the area now known as San Juan County since time immemorial. November is an opportunity to celebrate Native American cultures, history, traditions, art and contributions to our communities. All residents are encouraged to recognize the accomplishments and contributions Native American communities make to our county, communities and society, and to honor their inherent treaty and cultural rights.

Tribal Engagement Framework

San Juan County is striving to develop a more consistent, thoughtful approach toward government-to-government relations with local tribes. In 2023, San Juan County Council requested that Environmental Stewardship staff develop a countywide framework for tribal engagement and consultation.

In 2024, San Juan County hired The Whitener Group, a tribal relations educational consultant, to lead a two-day staff training and assist the organization in developing best practices for tribal engagement. This partnership has resulted in the development of a Tribal Engagement Framework, approved by Council on Nov. 12, that seeks to guide the County in meaningful relationship building and collaboration with tribal governments.

The framework includes components such as convening an internal working group, proposing a protocol for government-to-government relations to explore with the tribes and presenting recommendations to Council. The Environmental Stewardship Department’s Cultural Coordinator anticipates returning to Council with a program update in 2025.

You can access the County’s Tribal Engagement Framework at https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/31197/Resolution-37-2024_SJCs_Commitment_to_Tribal_Engagement.

San Juan County encourages all residents to learn about National Native American Heritage Month and to honor the lifeways of native peoples who live, fish, hunt and harvest in the San Juans, and support the continued stewardship of their ancestral territories into the future.