Title
Honoring and Commemorating the 13th Annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the City of Philadelphia.
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WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, was established in Philadelphia on October 6, 2011, with the noble objective of acknowledging the rich history and enduring traditions of the more than 50,000 American Indian Peoples and Indigenous Migrants communities from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Islands who reside within the City of Philadelphia and call it home; and
WHEREAS, The indigenous peoples of North America, Central America, South American and the Caribbean Islands, “the Original Americans”, have woven rich and diverse threads into the tapestry of the heritage and history of the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the City of Philadelphia throughout their history in this great land, they have faced moments of triumph and tragedy alike; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative to acknowledge the historical injustices inflicted upon American Indian and Indigenous communities from the Americas, including the largely overlooked aspect of American Indian slavery and Genocide; and
WHEREAS, The forced enslavement and land displacement of American Indians, by European settlers, represents a dark chapter in our Nation's history, with countless individuals enduring the horrors of captivity, forced labor, and cultural and land displacement; and
WHEREAS, The legacy of American Indian slavery and genocide serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength exhibited by Indigenous communities in the face of adversity, as they not only survived this traumatic period but also continued to preserve their cultural identities, languages, and traditions; and
WHEREAS, Many North American Indians and Amerindians from, Central America, South America and the Caribbean were mis-labeled in the early 1800s through the 1900s as "Colored," "Negro," "Mulatto," “Latino” and “Hispanic," resulting in the dilution of their identities, heritage, spirituality and land; and
WHEREAS, Many have persevered through trauma and tragedy to preserve culture and traditions to be beacons of light for future generations; and
WHEREAS, American Indian culture and society have contributed to the agricultural development, medicinal discoveries, environmental preservation, commerce, governmental institutions, and structure and many other facets of our Country, State, and City; and
WHEREAS, The Lenni-Lenape, meaning “The Real People” have inhabited the land of Coaquonnock “Land of Tall Pines”, which is now known as Philadelphia, dating back to some 13,000 years; and
WHEREAS, Many of Philadelphia’s Streets are named after many Great & Honorable American Indian Nations, and Citizens of our City travel on paths created by the Indigenous Peoples for trade and hunting, including Route 611 “Broad Street”; and
WHEREAS, It is the City of Philadelphia and its departments' solemn obligation to uplift and invest in the future of American Indians and Indigenous migrant communities, by empowering them to govern their own communities and make their own decisions, while also acknowledging and rectifying the centuries-long campaign of violence, slavery, displacement, assimilation, and terror endured by these communities throughout our nation's history; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That is hereby commemorates the 13th Annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day in our city, paying tribute to the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby authorizes the Philadelphia Indigenous Peoples’ Day Flag be flown at City Hall as a sign of respect and remembrance for this day.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented as a sign of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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