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The movement has since gained momentum, with support spreading to states, cities, and towns across the United States. Since 2021, Indigenous Peoples’ Day has been federally recognized by the Biden administration, with the President proclaiming the second Monday in October a “day in honor of our diverse history and the Indigenous peoples who contribute to shaping this Nation.”
Looking to celebrate and support Indigenous Peoples’ Day? Check out Five Ideas for Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day. For those who would like to learn more about this holiday as well as the origin of Columbus Day, check out What Is Indigenous Peoples’ Day?.
Welcome Gabriela Saenz,
Region 4 ICWA Consultant
My deepest gratitude to the Coast Salish Peoples whose land I reside and work on. It is an honor and privilege to serve the tribal children, elders, families, and communities of the Pacific Northwest. My name is Gabriela Saenz, but you can call me Gaby.
I graduated with my master’s from the University of Washington School of Social Work in 2021 where I was a part of the Child Welfare Training Advancement Program. During my time at UW, I had the amazing opportunity to work with Congresswoman Karen Bass on successfully appealing and amending the Multiethnic Placement Act. After graduation I worked for The Tulalip Tribes of Washington as a CPS social worker. Afterwards I began my journey towards licensure as an independent clinical social worker associate. The opportunity to change my career path as a tribal liaison is something I have been dreaming of, and I am grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to take part in this work.
Like many others, my family has experienced displacement from our people, but the distance has never stopped us from staying intact with our culture and heritage. My mother and late father’s resilience and spirituality has kept my sister and I close to our people as well as the blessings they have given us in travel all our lives. We have been privileged to travel back to land of our people in Mexico and gifted the experiences of many beautiful traditions of our culture. For that I am eternally grateful and recognize this is a great privilege to have and continue to experience.
In my free time I enjoy going camping, hiking, and backpacking with my friends and dog, beading, painting, and quality time with my family.
I look forward to working with everyone who I cross paths with.
¡Viva el coraje! ¡Viva el amor a todas formas! ¡Viva los pueblos indígenas!
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Awareness Campaign Resources for Indigenous Victims/Survivors of Human Trafficking
The purpose of this grant is to fund activities to increase awareness of the support, services, and resources available to Indigenous persons who are survivors of labor and/or sex trafficking. This will include raising awareness on how to access such resources. One project west of the crest of the Cascade Mountains and one project east of the crest of the Cascade Mountains will be funded.
The grant period will be Dec. 1, 2023 – June 30, 2025.
Applicants may request up to $100,000.
Download application materials here.
Closing Date: Nov. 8, 2023, at 5 p.m.
Contact RFP Coordinator Trisha Smith with questions: trisha.smith@commerce.wa.gov
Calling for Speakers | 2023 Indigenous Children, Youth & Families Conference
Calling for speakers for the upcoming 4th annual Indigenous Children, Youth & Families (ICYF) Conference on Nov. 1-2, 2023! Professionals, tribal members, and those with lived experiences impacted by juvenile rehabilitation, child welfare, and early learning systems are encouraged to contact the Office of Tribal Relations if interested. Please contact dcyf.tribalrelations@dcyf.wa.gov for more information.
To register for the 2023 ICYF virtual conference, visit www.dcyf.wa.gov/ICYF-2023.
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ICW Active Efforts Social Service Specialist 2-3 (SSS3)
Smokey Point, Bellingham, & Mt. Vernon/DCYF
Position closes: 10/9/23, 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: ICW Active Efforts Social Service Specialist 2-3 (governmentjobs.com)
ICW Active Efforts Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) - West Seattle/DCYF
Position closes: 10/17/23, 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: ICW Active Efforts Specialist 2-3 In Training (SSS3) - West Seattle (governmentjobs.com)
Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) Tribal Liaison (SHPC4) Remote/DCYF
Position closes: 10/22/23, 11:59 p.m.
Apply online: Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) Tribal Liaison (governmentjobs.com)
Indigenous Peoples' Day Events
October 9 | 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, Seattle, WA
Hosted by the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, the evening will include a raffle, with prizes including tickets to the Seattle Kraken, Bingo at 5:00 PM, a salmon dinner at 6:00 PM, and a Daybreak Star Radio jam session from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Attendees are encouraged to wear traditional regalia and bring a drum, rattle, flute, etc. to be a part of the jam session.
For more information, visit United Indians of All Tribes Foundation - Daybreak Star.
October 9 | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Various locations, Portland, OR
Mark your calendars with the following dates for 2023. The Indigenous Marketplaces will be held in various locations in the Portland, so double check locations before heading out!!
For more information, visit Events | Portland Indigenous Marketplace.
October 13 | 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Friendly House, Portland, OR
Everyone of all ages is invited to our Indigenous People’s Day Celebration! Joined by a.c.ramírez de arellaño, who will be displaying their art and facilitating an interactive art project titled Kona’ni Alu Usari’au. The celebration will also include traditional Buffalo stew with wild rice, Indigenous storytelling, local vendors, and free raffle!
For more information, visit Indigenous People’s Day Celebration - Friendly House (fhpdx.org).
2023 MMIWP Task Force Summit
Save the date for the 2023 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force (MMIWP) Annual Summit.
Nov. 1-2, 2023
Northern Quest Casino, Airway Heights, WA
Registration Link: https://www.research.net/r/K869SDW.
About this Event: As a result of the advocacy of community members, grassroots organizers, and legislators, the Washington State MMIW/P Task Force was established within the Attorney General’s Office in 2021. The Task Force builds on the work of impacted families, tribal leaders, and advocates to continue addressing the MMIWP crisis. The Task Force began meeting in December 2021, released an interim report in August 2022, and held its inaugural summit in December 2022, hosted by the Puyallup Tribe.
Please contact mmiwp@atg.wa.gov with any questions or requests for accommodations.
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Office of Indian Child Welfare
Auction & Potluck
Save the date on Nov. 15, 2023, for the next Office of Indian Child Welfare (OICW) Auction and Potluck! This event will be available virtually and in-person from noon to 3 p.m.
Mt. Rainier Room
West Seattle Office
4045 Delridge Way SW
Seattle, WA
For more information, please contact Cynthia Blair at cynthia.blair@dcyf.wa.gov.
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24th Annual Cowlitz Pow Wow
Oct. 21, 2023 | Cowlitz County Event Center, Longview, WA
More information to come!
Stay up to date by visiting Name Cowlitz Powwow | The Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
Federal Funding for Tribal Child Welfare Agencies Announced
HHS Announces Historic Child Welfare Package to Expand Support and Equity in Child Welfare System | HHS.gov
“Today, HHS released a proposed rule to expand access to legal representation for children in foster care, parents and kinship caregivers by allowing state and tribal child welfare agencies to use federal funds to provide legal services.”
Correction - Introducing Rayna Espinosa, TELF Specialist
In our last edition of this newsletter, we introduced OTR's new Tribal Early Learning Fund (TELF) Specialist, Rayna Espinosa. Unfortunately, we misspelled Rayna's name. Please note the correct spelling above and join us in welcoming Rayna to the team!
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