For the first time since proclaiming the remembrance eight years ago and pushing aside Columbus Day, Seattle City Hall is honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day with closed offices and an official holiday.

City leaders and workers have the day off and, yes, parking is free on Seattle’s streets. Transit is on standard schedules and the public schools are open but the libraries are closed. The U.S. Postal Service and most other federal offices along with institutions like banks are also closed though many regions across the country will mark the date as both Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day.

Seattle proclaimed the second Monday in October to be Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2014 but it wasn’t until 2022 that City Hall formally observed the holiday. For years, Seattle sat out the closure of facilities at the federal level out of respect for Indigenous communities in the region. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden formally recognized Indigenous People’s Day last year while also proclaiming recognition of Columbus Day.

In addition to a quiet City Hall, 2022 Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Seattle includes the traditional downtown march and events including an early evening celebration at the Daybreak Star Cultural Center in Discovery Park.

In addition to progress on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Juneteenth is also now formally recognized in the city.

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