Who: Rep. David Sawyer, D-Tacoma, prime sponsor of HB 2267
What: Public hearing in the House Committee on Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs on HB 2267, recognizing indigenous peoples’ day
When: Thursday, January 11, at 1:30 p.m.
Where: House Hearing Room E, John L. O’Brien Building
Why: Indigenous people’s day recognizes Native Americans, who were the first inhabitants of the land that later became the United States of America. Rather than commemorating the explorer Christopher Columbus, who many view as a controversial figure for his acts of brutality and colonization of the native people he encountered, indigenous people’s day provides an opportunity to celebrate the history and culture of our state’s indigenous peoples.