HomeMy WebLinkAboutCM Proclamation Supporting Indigenous People's Day 2023
City of San Rafael
In Recognition of
Indigenous People’s Day 2023
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael strives for diversity and acceptance, and seeks to uplift and uphold
human rights and dignity within the City and neighboring areas; and
WHEREAS, since Columbus Day 2015, at least 11 states and 129 cities in the United States have passed
measures designating the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples Day; and
WHEREAS, historians have largely agreed that Columbus did not “discover” the Americas as Indigenous
people were already here, nor was he the first European to reach the “New World”; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael recognizes that the Indigenous Peoples of the lands have lived on
these lands since time immemorial; and
WHEREAS, the community of San Rafael and the County of Marin where the City is located is built
upon the traditional homelands of the Coast Miwok Peoples, who are now known as the
Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria a sovereign nation and the only federally recognized
Tribe of Marin County, comprised of Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo peoples; and
WHEREAS, the recognition and acknowledgement of Indigenous People’s Day would officially
acknowledge the atrocities, genocide and ancestral land displacement inflicted upon the
original inhabitants of the City of San Rafael through the California Missions and other
systems of oppression by occupying Spanish, English, Russian, Mexican and American
settlers; and
WHEREAS, the recognition and acknowledgement of Indigenous People’s Day would officially
acknowledge and respectfully support the resistance, persistence, existence and living
history of Indigenous people including the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria; and
WHEREAS, the United Nations Rights of Indigenous Peoples Declaration adopted in 2006 confirms the
rights of Indigenous peoples to self-determination, recognizes subsistence rights and rights
to lands, territories and resources; recognizes that Indigenous peoples deprived of their
means of subsistence and development are entitled to just and fair redress, outlaws
discrimination against Indigenous peoples, and promotes their full and effective
participation in all matters that concern them, as well as their right to remain distinct and to
pursue their own visions of economic and social development, and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Rafael, do hereby proclaim
October 9, 2023 as Indigenous Peoples Day and in doing so, urge all residents and community members to reflect upon
the ongoing struggles of Indigenous people in our City, and to celebrate the thriving culture and value that the
Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria who are present day Coast Miwok People add to our city, and encourage other
businesses, organizations and public entities to recognize Indigenous People’s Day.
Kate Colin
Mayor