Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Community Development, Housing & Tribal Affairs Committee

HB 2267

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Sponsors: Representatives Sawyer, Stambaugh, Stonier, Valdez, Slatter, Ormsby, Senn, Robinson, Goodman, Tarleton, Fey, Bergquist, Santos, McBride, Fitzgibbon, Tharinger, Dolan, Chapman, Frame, Sells, Reeves, Stanford, Macri, Kloba, Appleton, Jinkins, Ryu, Pollet, Doglio and Gregerson.

Background:

Apart from the state legal holidays, the state identifies certain days of recognition throughout the year. Such recognition dates commemorate an event, individual, or groups of persons. Individuals with a date of recognition include Christopher Columbus, whose landing on the American continent in 1492 is commemorated on October 12. This state commemoration coincides with the federal holiday, Columbus Day, celebrated on the second Monday in October.

In 1994, the United Nations declared "International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples" to be observed each year on August 9. Since then, several states and various local jurisdictions have commemorated "Indigenous People's Day," in conjunction with or replacement of Columbus Day.

In Washington, "Indigenous People's Day has been recognized by the cities of Seattle, Spokane, Olympia, and Bainbridge Island. There are 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington, as well as other tribal communities and individuals who claim Native American ancestry.