By Hailey Palmer, Puyallup Tribal News
Councilwoman Annette Bryan, along with Puyallup Tribal Members Michael Sisson and Bettina Gese, with Pierce County Council accepting a proclamation declaring November as Native American Heritage Month. County Council brought a motion forward to display the Puyallup Tribal flag in its chambers shortly after.
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, Pierce County Council voted in November to display the Puyallup Tribal flag in its chambers.
Puyallup Tribal Councilwoman Annette Bryan pointed out to County Council Member Marty Campbell that they were not flying one locally.
Following up on that request from Councilwoman Bryan, Campbell brought the motion forward at a Rules and Operations Committee meeting on Nov. 4.
“I bring forward this motion to display that flag since we are on, traditionally, Puyallup Tribal land here. My hope is that, like proclamations in the past, this is the start, and over the next year we can have a robust discussion on what we have permanently affixed to our chambers to honor our relationship with all the Indigenous people that live on lands of Pierce County, or have treaty rights to Pierce County,” he said. “We know those conversations take time, but this is a step forward that the Puyallup Tribal Councilmember asked for. I’ve heard from the Puyallup Tribe and they’re good to go with it. I bring this motion today in hopes of forwarding the conversation on our Tribal relations.”
Bryan accepted a proclamation from Pierce County Council in late October declaring November as Native American and Alaskan Native Heritage month. Puyallup Tribal Members Michael Sisson and Bettina Gese also gave testimony.
It was there Bryan mentioned to the Pierce County Councilmembers they did not have a Puyallup Tribal flag in the room.
“The Tacoma City Council put our flag in their chambers a few years ago and that was really significant,” Bryan said. “When Pierce County (Council) invited us to accept the November proclamation I thanked them for acknowledging they were on Tribal land and that they are right in the heart of our old village sites. I said I appreciated the partnership and that the only thing missing in their council chambers is a flag of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.”
It wasn’t long after that Pierce County Council made the move to display the flag.
“In my mind, it was very significant,” Bryan said. “They’re finally doing the land acknowledgement and willing to hang our flag, the flag of a sovereign nation of the land they’re on – the land they’re on is Puyallup Tribal land.”
Pierce County Council Member Ryan Mello touched on the importance of recognizing they meet on Puyallup land, and mentioned further discussion to honor all Tribes throughout Pierce County in the future.
“The intent here is to really acknowledge where these chambers and the county’s seat is here on the traditional homelands of the Puyallup Tribe,” Mello said. “If we can expedite displaying the Puyallup Nation’s flag here because of where the county’s seat is and where our council chambers reside. … I understand this council very much wants to continue thoughtful and collaborative discussions with — especially Federally recognized Tribes — here in Pierce County for future inclusion.”
It was later approved during the meeting to add a discussion of a permanent display recognizing the Puyallup Tribe and other Pierce County Tribes to the County Council’s work plan for 2025.
“We’ve had such a hard relationship with our local jurisdictions over the decades I’ve been here, and I know my ancestors, Elders and past Tribal leaders have had a really hard time,” Bryan said. “We’ve worked really hard in the last decade to strengthen those relationships. The fact they’re finally acknowledging us helps validate the work we’re doing to be seen as the government. We’re more than that. We are a sovereign nation and they’re finally starting to recognize that. Unfortunately, it took a lot of financial wealth. … It’s unfortunate that now we’re seen as credible because we have such a large economic impact in our community, but however we got here, with all the work that’s been done and all the ground work that’s been laid, I’m grateful that we’re here.”
