Monday, Oct. 9, 2023
10-11:50 a.m.
Highline’s main campus
Building 2
All are welcome to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day with free lectures by three Native presenters at Highline College.
The day offers the chance to reflect on the ongoing struggles of Indigenous peoples. It also provide an opportunity to celebrate the thriving culture and value that neighboring tribes and other Indigenous nations add to the college. Local tribes include Muckleshoot, Puyallup and other Coast Salish tribes.
Highline began official recognition of the day in 2016. Special thanks for support of this day to Dr. Emily Lardner, Dr. Maribel Jimenez, Dr. Jamilyn Penn, Josh Gerstman, Mia Bull, Dr. Erich Elwin, Ricaflor Fontillas, Diego Luna, Dr. Tanya Powers and Malaelupe Samifua.
Questions? Contact Mia Bull at mbull@highline.edu.
Event Schedule
Each session is free and open to the public, and will be held on the college’s main campus in Building 2.
10-10:50 a.m.
Sara Marie Ortiz (Pueblo of Acoma): Published Author, Educator and Advocate
Sara Marie Ortiz is a proud graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts (BFA creative writing) and Antioch University Los Angeles’ Master of Fine Arts program with a concentration in creative nonfiction. In addition to creative writing/literature, she’s formally studied law, Indigenous education, global self-determination in Indigenous communities, journalism, radio, theater, critical theory, and film. Ortiz has worked in the realm of Native arts, education, and culture advocacy for over 20 years. She has published widely and has been featured in such publications as the Kenyon Review, Ploughshares, the Florida Review, the American Indian Graduate, Indian Country Today Media Network, and has presented widely at galleries/arts spaces, performance venues, literary centers, tribal schools, tribal colleges, conferences, and universities. Sara Marie Ortiz lives in Burien, Washington, is the urban west representative for the Washington State Native American Education Advisory Committee (which advises the Washington State Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction on all things Native/Tribal education), she is the lead coordinator for the Northwest Native Writers Circle, and is currently the Native Student Success Program Manager for Highline Public Schools.
11-11:50 a.m.
Dr. Denise Bill (Muckleshoot) and Elise Gerrish-Bill (Muckleshoot): “Muckleshoot Tribe: The Land We Are On”
Denise Bill is a member of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. Denise comes from the Villages of Burns Creek, dᶻidᶻəlaĺič, stəq, Little Herring House-Crossing Over Place, and Katilbc (Kah-til-bish) and Ilalqo. Denise’s great grandmother was Annie Jack, a fluent Lushootseed speaker, and her grandmother Iola Bill-Lobehan, was also a fluent Lushootseed speaker. Denise’s father is the late Dr. Willard Bill, Sr., a long-time Native Educator, and mother is MaryAnn Bill. Denise is mother to Elise, Andrew, and grandmother to Lily. Denise is currently the executive director of Adult & Higher Education for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. Denise has worked in K-12 educational systems, as well as adult and higher education in both the public sector as well as in Native Schools/Colleges. Denise has a Doctoral Degree from the University of Washington. Her dissertation is titled “Native American Educational Leadership in the Pacific Northwest.”
Elise Bill-Gerrish is a Muckleshoot woman residing in the Southern Puget Sound. Elise comes from the villages of Burns Creek, Stuck, Herring House, Crossing Over Place, and Katilbc. She is a Muckleshoot Language Caretaker and Native Education Specialist. Elise graduated from Antioch University Seattle in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in leadership and organizational studies. Her research during that time inspired a lifelong passion for social justice by advocating for holistic healing in all of its forms. She believes that it is essential to address historical trauma in Native communities in order to move forward in a “good way.” Elise is actively earning her master’s in education at the University of Washington Tacoma with an Indigenous education focus.
Proclamation
WHEREAS, Highline College recognizes that the college is built upon the homelands and villages of the Indigenous Peoples of this region, without whom the building of the college would not have been possible; and
WHEREAS, Highline College values the many contributions made to our community through Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge, labor, technology, science, philosophy, arts, and the deep cultural contribution that has substantially shaped the character of Highline College; and
WHEREAS, Highline College has a responsibility to oppose the systemic racism towards Indigenous Peoples in the United States, which perpetuates poverty and income inequality, and exacerbates disproportionate health, education, and social stability; and
WHEREAS, Highline College promotes the closing of the equity gap for Indigenous Peoples through policies and practices that reflect the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, ensure greater access and opportunity, and honor our nation’s Indigenous roots, history, and contributions; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas;
AND, WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples Day offers an opportunity both to reflect upon the ongoing struggles of Indigenous Peoples and to celebrate the thriving culture and value that our neighboring tribes including Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Duwamish, and other Indigenous nations add to our college.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the second Monday in October shall be declared as Indigenous Peoples Day at Highline College.
Proclamation was signed in September 2016 by Dr. Jack Bermingham, who served as Highline’s president, 2006–2017.