By Hailey Palmer, Puyallup Tribal News
Pierce County Council has officially designated November as Native American and Alaskan Native Heritage Month in Pierce County.
Puyallup Tribal member and veteran Teddy Simchen, Puyallup Tribal Police Investigations Lieutenant Todd Wescott and Muscogee (Creek) Nation member Chris Winters were invited to Pierce County Council’s Oct. 31 meeting as the proclamation was read.
“I’m so glad that Pierce County Council has taken to heart the Land Acknowledgement because, as a Puyallup Tribal member, I hold it deeply to my soul and heart that we are the stewards of the land, and everything we do affects what happens here on our land,” Simchen said.
Wescott and Winters also expressed their appreciation to Pierce County Council for honoring and designating November as Native American and Alaskan Native Heritage Month.
Pierce County Council member Paul Herrera called it an honor to bring forward the proclamation.
“This proclamation is inviting you to come take a deeper look at the Tribes that surround us,” Herrera said. “They are part of the community, they are a part of our workforce and what we do here does affect them. I think it’s really great that we’re working together and we want to continue that stewardship together.”
