WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

MEDIA ADVISORY: Public hearing on bill recognizing October 12 as indigenous peoples’ day rather than Columbus day

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.