County recognizes Native American Heritage Month with proclamation & new Tribal engagement framework

Thursday, November 21, 2024

FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT BY SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA GOVERNMENT

During the last October Council meeting, a proclamation was issued recognizing November 2024 as National Native American Heritage Month in San Juan County, and November 29 as National Native American Heritage Day. In addition to the proclamation, during the November 12 meeting, Council also passed a resolution solidifying San Juan County’s commitment to tribal engagement. This resolution adopted the County’s new Tribal Engagement Framework that will guide the County in tribal outreach efforts.   

A Proclamation   

San Juan County’s proclamation recognizes that Native Americans have inhabited the area now known as San Juan County since time immemorial. November is an opportunity to celebrate Native American cultures, history, traditions, art, and contributions to our communities. All residents are encouraged to recognize the accomplishments and contributions Native American communities make to our county, communities and society, and to honor their inherent treaty and cultural rights.  

Tribal Engagement Framework   

San Juan County is striving to develop a more consistent, thoughtful approach towards government-to-government relations with local tribes. In 2023, San Juan County Council requested that Environmental Stewardship staff develop a county-wide framework for tribal engagement and consultation.  

In 2024, San Juan County hired The Whitener Group, a tribal relations educational consultant, to lead a two-day staff training and assist the organization in developing best practices for tribal engagement. This partnership has resulted in the development of Tribal Engagement Framework, approved by Council on November 12, 2024, that seeks to guide the County in meaningful relationship building and collaboration with Tribal governments.

The framework includes components such as convening an internal working group, proposing a protocol for government-to-government relations to explore with the tribes, and presenting recommendations to Council. The Environmental Stewardship Department’s Cultural Coordinator anticipates returning to Council with a program update in 2025.  

You can access the County’s Tribal Engagement Framework here.  

San Juan County encourages all residents to learn about National Native American Heritage Month, and to honor the lifeways of native peoples who live, fish, hunt and harvest in the San Juans, and support the continued stewardship of their ancestral territories into the future.