It has been five years since Seattle proclaimed the second Monday in October to be Indigenous Peoples’ Day. And while it hasn’t yet grown to the point where the state’s school kids get the day off, the Columbus Day past once again gave way to a day of blessings, dance, and song through the streets of downtown Seattle and at City Hall — and rent for what many feel is owed.
Some chose the day to announce their decision to compensate the Duwamish and recognize “the Tribe has yet to be justly compensated for their land, resources, and livelihood.”
The Real Rent Duwamish effort has now grown to more than 2,800 “renters” — people making voluntary monthly payments to support the 700+ member tribe which is not legally recognized as a Native American group and does not receive federal assistance.
This Indigenous Peoples’ Day marked two years of the Real Rent Duwamish effort. With a few thousand choosing to pay from $5 to $20 or so per month, funds go to support Duwamish Tribal Services and “the revival of Duwamish culture and the vitality of the Duwamish Tribe.”
You can learn more and sign up at realrentduwamish.org.
#indigenouspeoplesday2019 #Seattle pic.twitter.com/P3vIIHtCNq
— Alex Garland (@AGarlandPhoto) October 14, 2019
