For the first time, the Squaxin Island Tribe’s flag was raised along with the United States and Washington State above the Olympia School District's offices.
More than 100 people attended an 18-minute ceremony today at the Knox Administration Building, 111 Bethel Street NE, Olympia, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Other regional institutions, including the City of Olympia, The Evergreen State College and the Griffin School District, previously began flying the Squaxin Island Tribe's flag.
Squaxin Island Tribal Council Chairman Kris Peters minced no words as he both appreciated the school district's gesture of respect and reminded the audience of the years that his people and other Indians were abused and dishonored. "The school districts, for a long time, played a role in the systematic racism and ... lies about tribal people, and what I'm happy about is that the school system is now embracing diversity and growth in the real history," he said.
"We had elders at one point who were ashamed of being indigenous due to racism and discrimination, and dealt with assimilation and trauma," he said, adding, "A lot of that came from the systems, including the school system. And we're still feeling that trauma today ... it took generations to get here, and it's going to take some years to heal from that trauma," Peters said.
"And my hope is that this flag represents our people in a way that when our elders or our youth, when they come into Olympia, or they see this picture online ... that it instills a sense of pride, a sense of feeling. If our elders come in here and they look at this flag and say, wow, we've come a long way. I am proud to be Squaxin, and I'm proud of my heritage. If our youth come in here and they feel, wow, I'm connected to this land and I'm connected to our ancestors, then hallelujah, we're doing our part to heal our people," Peters added.
"That's what flag symbolizes, to me, our connection to our land and our ancestors all so that we can take who we are as Squaxins and continue it to our next generation, so our grandchildren can remember who we were and sing our songs, speak our language, and honor who we are as Squaxin," Peters said, adding, "I am so honored to be here, and I'm so thankful to the school district."
“This ceremony is not just a symbolic gesture. It represents our commitment to deepening our relationship with the Squaxin Tribe, the people of the water, and honoring their rich culture and heritage,” said Superintendent Patrick Murphy.
“For 10,000 years, they have stewarded this very land that we stand upon. By raising the Squaxin flag, we acknowledge not just the importance of inclusivity in our educational community, but the vital role that native voices, the Squaxin voice, has played, does play and will continue to play, in shaping a brighter future for all of our students as we move forward,” Murphy added.
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Carolyn Byerly
I am so glad to read this article and know about this flag ceremony and what it stands for. So often these days, we attend meetings and someone reads the "land acknowledgment," but it often feels hollow to me. We are still on occupied land without any material expression of appreciation or care for the indigenous people whose land we still occupy -- or discussions of returning some of it to them. The raising of a flag and the material acknowledgment of cultural appreciation and concern are important expressions. I appreciate the work of those involved in bringing this about.
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