United Indians of All Tribes Foundation hosted another successful Indigenous Peoples’ Day event on Monday, October 9th. Prior to the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Seattle, a group of indigenous organizers led marches and protests in downtown Seattle on Columbus Day from 2009-2014. In 2014, team of Native activists and allies successfully advocated for the City of Seattle to recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This year marks UIATF’s 9th official Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration event. Hundreds of elders, adults, and children gathered at UIATF Headquarters, Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, to celebrate Indigenous culture, tradition, and resilience. A salmon dinner was served by UIATF’s Elders Program chef, Violet Macktima, and community members Vance Sieber and assistant D.D., and was served with help from youth from UIATF’s Labateyah Youth Home. Prayers, songs and dances were led by George Farrell, Matt Remle, and Indigenous Voices.
Raffles were held and riveting games of BINGO were played. BINGO and raffle prizes featured items from the Sacred Circle Gift Shop and merch for Daybreak Star Radio Network. As the night began to close, a jam session commenced, equipped with a drum set and bass guitar along with traditional drums and rattles.
Information booths featured UIATF’s Native Veterans program, Foster Care Support program, Equity program, Elders program and Daybreak Star Radio Network. Information booths also featured Urban Native Education Alliance, Haida Ladies Craft, and Molina Healthcare. Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services hosted a Pilimakua kid’s corner with painting and printing tote bags.
This event was free to the public, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, Molina Healthcare and Green Cleaning Seattle, along with individual donors. To help support our mission, click here.
