Indigenous Peoples Day, observed on the second Monday of October, was first proposed in 1977 to recognize Native peoples as the original inhabitants of the Americas. The movement to formalize this day gained momentum by 1990 and continues to grow, with recognitions across states, cities, schools and universities throughout the United States.
WSU acknowledges that its campuses are located on the ancestral homelands of Native peoples who have lived in these regions since time immemorial. The university has a formal agreement to increase access and support for Native American students, faculty and staff, honor Native achievements and strengthen partnerships with sovereign tribal nations in Washington state.
In 2018, WSU proclaimed the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day at WSU. Â鶹´«Ã½ sits on the homelands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Peoples of the Lower Columbia Valley. The WSU Office of Tribal Relations and Native American Programs works to build relationships with tribes based on trust, respect and reciprocity while supporting Native American students and communities.