Native American Heritage Month has been declared in Multnomah County by the Board of Commissioners, which made the announcement during their board meeting on November 14. In recognition of the more than 380 Tribal Nations that are represented in the county, the action aims to honor and consider the rich heritage and accomplishments of Native American communities. Chair Jessica Vega Pederson discussed the important role Native community members have in the County’s initiatives and partner organizations, according to Multnomah County News.
According to Brianna Bragg (Ihanktonwan Nation), a specialist with the County’s Health Department, the proclamation highlights the perseverance of Native Americans, a trait that has been a lifeline for millennia. Bragg highlights the capacity of Native tribes to “bend and not break,” in spite of the difficulties they endure. Bragg also demanded further steps to help the community and its workers. This include hiring Native employees, modifying workplace policies to allow for greater flexibility, and launching campaigns that bring attention to pressing problems like the fentanyl crisis and food sovereignty.
Comprehensive assistance for the Native community was a major topic of discussion during the board meeting. The Future Generations Collaborative’s Whitney Watson, a Native Village of Kotzebue/Umo ho Nation Descendant/Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Descendant, emphasized the value of community and having access to resources that are culturally relevant. During the meeting, Watson told Multnomah County News, “People like me have the opportunity to develop and form an identity that is proud to be Indigenous because they have access to these resources and the community.”
Eva Red Bird (Hunkpapa Lakota/Yankton Dakota) emphasized the Multnomah County Library’s dedication to Indigenous services and thanked the community for its support. She emphasized the library’s function in offering Native Americans culturally appropriate materials and welcoming environments. To make sure that the library’s services do, in fact, satisfy the requirements of its Native patrons, Red Bird continues to seek community input despite its prior efforts. “We have really encouraged [the Native community] to utilize library services and to think of the library as a community gathering space, a community center, as well as just a place for folks to feel seen and heard, included, and represented in a way that’s historically accurate,”she remarked.
Commissioner Sharon Meieran emphasized the need of supplying necessary resources for the community’s prosperity as the County Commissioners also discussed their pledges. Commissioner Jesse Beason pointed out that Native organizations asserting their legitimate authority was the direct cause of recent progress. Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards also recommended routine communication with tribal leaders in order to better understand and meet their needs. Reiterating the County’s commitment to its work with the Native American Indigenous community, Chair Vega Pederson shared the remark.
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