Indigenous Peoples Day (2nd Monday)

Indigenous Peoples Day was first proposed in 1977 during a United Nations conference on discrimination against indigenous populations in the Americas. Indigenous Peoples Day occurs on the second Monday of October and recognizes that Native people are the first inhabitants of the Americas, including the lands that later became the United States of America. By 1990, movements to formalize Indigenous Peoples or Native American Day gained momentum. The movement continues to expand present day with formalized recognitions across states, cities and organizations throughout the United States, including universities and schools. WSU acknowledges that its locations statewide are on the homelands of Native peoples who have lived in this region from time immemorial. WSU has a formal memorandum of understanding to increase access for Native American students, faculty and staff; recognize Native American achievements at the university; and strengthen the relationship between the university and sovereign tribal nations. Currently, there are 42 tribes, 35 of which are federally recognized, that share traditional homelands and waterways in what is now Washington state. The agreement remains open for inclusion of additional sovereign tribal nations. In 2018, WSU President Kirk Schulz issued a proclamation that instituted the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day at WSU. This is reinforced by the above memorandum of understanding and reflects the disposition of Indigenous lands by coercive and violent means, and, in Southwest Washington, the absence of a treaty. WSU Vancouver is located on the homelands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Peoples of the Lower Columbia Valley. The WSU Office of Tribal Relations and Native American Programs provides guidance in relationships with tribes and services to Native American students and communities. WSU has pledged that these relationships will consist of mutual trust, respect and reciprocity.

Heritage Months and Dates

February

Black History Month in the United States and Canada

March

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month Women’s History Month

April

Autism Awareness Month Celebrate Diversity Month National Arab American Heritage Month National Deaf History Month National Volunteer Month

May

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the United States Jewish American Heritage Month Mental Health Awareness Month

June

LGBTQ+ Pride Month Immigrant Heritage Month

October

National Disability Employment Awareness Month Global Diversity Awareness Month National Hispanic Heritage Month

November

National Native American Heritage Month