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Home My WebLink About04/16/2024 05.B.i. Honoring Those That Came Before Us 1 a, ____,) BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. B.i. For Meeting of:April 16, 2024 ITEM TITLE: Honoring Those That Came Before Us SUBMITTED BY: *Matt Murray, Chief of Police *Chad Janis, Lieutenant *John Shellenberger, Yakama Native Anthro *Emily Washines, Yakama Native Anthro *Jimmy Shike, Yakama Tribal Police *Jeremy Takala, Yakama Nation Council SUMMARY EXPLANATION: The City of Yakima was incorporated in 1886 on the ceded lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation, thirty-one years after the Treaty of 1855 was signed between the United States of America and the Tribal Leaders of the Yakama Nation. While the land within the City of Yakima, are in close proximity of the Yakama Reservation, the city is situated outside off the reservation.According to several sources, an estimated 80% of Native American people live in urban areas, outside of reservation lands. Moreover, many of the Yakama peoples rely on the city of Yakima for commerce, entertainment, housing and everyday life. Equally important is the Yakama Reservation lands, which encompasses much of our abundant Yakima valley, rich in agriculture and diverse people of all cultural make-ups. Over the last year, the Yakima Police Department has been on a journey of learning, understanding, collaboration, and fellowship with the Yakama Nation. What started as one person questioning the use of the department's logo, representing a Native American in a war bonnet, has evolved into an enriching opportunity for two communities to connect, collaborate and learn from one another. Following internal discussions on the topic of the logo, we met with Yakama Nation Police Commissioner James Shike Ill, a long-time friend of the Yakima Police Department. Through his guidance and understanding, he facilitated meetings with the Yakama Nation Tribal Council Law and Order Committee. The committee members led by Council Member Jeremy Takala met with us and talked about how best to respond to this issue. Both the Yakama Nation Police Department and the Law and Order Committee supported the use of our logo, however recommended that given the importance of the matter it would be best to take the matter before Yakama Nation Tribal Council and Chairman their consideration. 2 In September of 2023, several members of the YPD Command Staff along with Assistant City Manager Oglesby attended the September general council meeting with the Yakama Nation. Chief Murray and Lieutenant Chad Janis provided the entire council with a presentation about our logo and answered questions of the Council.Afterward, a private vote was conducted. The department was later provided a letter signed by Yakama Nation Chairman Gerald Lewis, supporting of our patch in perpetuity.As a result, the Yakama Nation asked that our relationship continue to grow and our two communities to become partners. In response to their support, we wish to acknowledge the Yakama peoples through a multifaceted project, that will help to educate our staff, and publicly honor the traditions of the Yakama Nation. Please see the attached PowerPoint presentation for more details. ITEM BUDGETED: NA STRATEGIC PRIORITY: NA APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION: ATTACHMENTS: Description Upload Date Type ❑ Yakama Nation letter 4/5/202( Backup Material ❑ Chief Murray's letter 4/5/2024 Backup Material ❑ Heritage Car Description 4/5/2024 Backup Material ❑ presentation 4/12/2024 Presentation 3 * CONFEDERATED * TRIBES AND BANDS � Confederated Tribes and Bands Established by the ir A,,, of the Yakama Nation Treaty of June 9, 1855 TREATY OF * 1 * * September 12, 2023 Sent via Email Mathew Murray, Police Chief Police Department City of Yakima 200 South Third Street Yakima, WA 98901 (509) 575-6200 matt.murray@yakimawa.gov Re: City of Yakima Police Logo Dear Chief Murray, I write on behalf of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation ("Yakama Nation") to respond to your request for the Yakama Nation's support for the Yakima Police Department's logo, which depicts an Indian wearing a war bonnet in red, white, and black colors. I appreciate the current leadership your Department has demonstrated to seek our support and the pride you showed in honoring the first people of this area. In connection with this consent letter, the Yakama Nation expects meaningful and ongoing dialogue and partnership about thoughtfully honoring indigenous heritage through acknowledgment, training requirements, and other initiatives for public education. The Yakama Nation is a federally recognized Native Nation with inherent sovereign and Treaty-reserved rights under the Treaty of 1855 ("Treaty").1 The Yakama Nation provides and advocates for the health, safety, and welfare of more than 11,000 enrolled Yakama members and the largest treaty reservation in Washington State. The Treaty represents a sovereign compact between the United States and the Yakama Nation decades before Washington's statehood. The federal Treaty-power is vested in Constitutional authority and is the supreme law of this land under the U.S. Constitution. The Yakama Nation prohibits the inappropriate use of Native American names, symbols, or images as logos, team names, or mascots. Symbols of the Yakama Nation's culture were given to us by our Creator and developed over thousands of years by our people and, therefore, carry great significance, like the American Flag 1 See Treaty with the Yakamas, U.S. —Yakama Nation, June 9, 1855, 12 Stat. 951. 2 See U.S. Const. art. VI, cl. 2. 4 r * * * CONFEDERATED * TR16EE AND BANDS Confederated Tribes and Bands Established by the A - of the Yakama Nation Treaty of June 9, 1855 * * TREATY OP * * 7 * or an Officer's insignia. By continuing to use the Yakima Police Department's logo, your Department has assumed an important responsibility to respect, acknowledge, and educate yourselves and the community you serve and protect about the Yakama Nation's customs and traditions on this landscape. The Yakama Tribal Council has approved your Department's continued use of your logo. I understand that your Department could not locate any historical documents of prior engagement with the Yakama Nation or the origin of this imagery going back to 1955. I look forward to a new spirit of cooperation with your Department in working towards culturally appropriate policing and safety for all people living in the Yakama Treaty Territory. Please don't hesitate to contact Yakama Nation Commissioner of Public Safety James Shike at (509) 865-5121 or james_shike@yakama.com. Sincerely, G ald Lewis, Chairman YAKAMA NATION TRIBAL COUNCIL 5 ANKIM4 Chief Matthew Murray's Office *‘.›, 200 S 3'd Street I Yakima, WA 98901 Telephone: (509) 575-6211 ApeL1e'� September 18, 2023 Yakama Tribal Council 401 Fort Road Toppenish, WA 98948 Dear Members of the Tribal Council, I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Tribal Council for approving the continued use of the Yakima Police patch design. This decision holds immense significance and will undoubtedly strengthen the bond between our community and law enforcement. For me, it was not about keeping the patch, but rather about ensuring that the people it is meant to honor DID feel honored and respected. As a member of this community, I am honored to witness the proactive steps taken by the Tribal Council to ensure the effective representation of your heritage and values in all aspects of public life. The approval of the patch truly exemplifies your commitment to preserving our respect for your cultural identity and fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the community they serve. By incorporating elements of your tribal heritage into the Yakima Police Department's patch, you have not only acknowledged the rich history and traditions of your people but also emphasized the importance of mutual respect and understanding between law enforcement and the tribal community. This decision will undoubtedly contribute to nurture a sense of unity and shared responsibility in maintaining a safe environment for everyone. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the Tribal Council for fostering open dialogue and actively engaging with our staff throughout this process. Your commitment to transparency and inclusivity has instilled a sense of trust and confidence in the decision-making process, ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders were heard and respected. The approval of the patch at the police department serves as a significant milestone in our ongoing journey towards building a stronger and more resilient community. It reinforces the message that your cultural heritage is valued and serves as a reminder that diversity and inclusivity are at the core of our shared identity. Once again, I express my deepest gratitude to the Tribal Council for this decision. Your unwavering dedication to our community's welfare and the preservation of our cultural heritage is truly commendable. I am confident that this will pave the way for more positive collaborations and foster a greater understanding between our tribal community and law enforcement agencies. Please convey my sincere appreciation to all members of the Tribal Council, General Council, and staff for their hard work, commitment, and vision. I look forward to working with the Yakama Nation to develop a 'heritage' Yakima Police car, a city proclamation celebrating our commitment as neighbors, and a display at police headquarters which acknowledges the traditional Yakama Nation's lands. With utmost respect and appreciation, Matthew Murray Chief of Police Yakima Police Department "Make respect a part of every interaction. " 6 NI(IMq Chief Matthew Murray's Office '; 1 ) filoa ' 200 S 3rd Street I Yakima, WA 98901 �J Telephone: (509) 575-6211 AOLIC� Yakima Police Department Heritage Police Car The artwork that is seen on this Yakima City Police (vehicle) is meant to tell a story about law and order on this land as it has been since the beginning of time. Yakama people have maintained law and order in all usual and accustomed places for millennia pursuant to our supreme law, Nami Tamanwit. These laws, as shared in our own language, Ichi-Skin Sin wit(the words we speak), dictate where, when, and how we carry ourselves, gather, hunt, and practice our religious ceremonies. We have returned to many of the same places to practice our way of life because our law dictates that we are the stewards of the land. We are here to protect, preserve and perpetuate all resources in perpetuity. The image on the back of the car is of a man and a woman. The man is ringing a bell and singing one of our traditional songs. The woman has her hand on her heart because what she gives and what she takes in begins with the heart. The gifts at the feet of the man and woman represent those seen in traditional wedding trades. The woman has a berry basket full of berries and a digging stick with a bag full of roots hanging from it. The man has a parfleche, or shaptakay (Shup-tuh-ki), fully of tools, dried deer meat and dried salmon. When a couple comes together, they bring the things represented from each gender. These gifts are exchanged between the families both sides proving that the couple is worthy and capable. Couples traditionally came from different tribes and villages, to create and maintain alliances. These alliances were critical in maintaining a balance within and between tribes and villages. The appearance of law and order in the area began to change after the Yakama Treaty of 1855 (12 stat., 951) was signed. On the side of the car are three riders who represent the early Indian police force that was created by the U.S. Government. The artist's ancestor was one of the very first (Captain Eneas). The early Indian Police force's job was not easy. They were tasked with very difficult assignments during the Yakama War of 1855-1859. Many of these assignments were thought distasteful by themselves and the Indian community. Some of them received death threats and others were tasked with capturing warriors and Chiefs. Yet, they still took that oath and they represented themselves and believed in protecting the land, people and resources. One rider is wearing a war bonnet which represents chieftainship and rank amongst Yakama people. The war bonnet came to people of the Columbia Plateau through a boy who was stuck on a mountain ledge near an eagle nest full of abandoned baby eagles. In his time with the baby eagles, he fed them and gave them water. He cared for them until the were big enough to leave the nest. The eagles told the boy that they would fly him down to the ground to return to his people. He had been gone for so long, his people thought he had died and were mourning his loss. The eagles thanked him and gifted him with their feathers. They told him to make this thing that we now call a war bonnet. That was a thank you for helping them and saving their lives. The boy returned to his village with this war bonnet and shared his experience. A warbonnet will forever be a symbol of a provider and a caretaker. The ancestral Indian Police helped lay the groundwork for the current Yakama Nation Police who proudly serves and protects tribal lands the benefit future generations. The hood image with the logo of Yakima Police and Yakama Nation Police represents a cooperative partnership and a mutual understanding about a shared need to protect our community in the Yakima Valley. We work side by side to accomplish that mission as Yakama people have done since the beginning of time. "Make respect a part of every interaction. " Honoring Those That Came Before Us PRESENTED BY THE YAKIMA POLICE DEPARTMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE YAKAMA NATION 'Thaw Panalakt" Never Forget v///////////////7 , , 4/o!,%%1 0 %t 4 i a e; z;e:,-; .0..0= 0,, ,.4. ,,,„.,, ,, 4 ! .,0!,r,/6 4= 0 i,7 0 0 0e 0%1 q%%%-0/6 0 o'4 i 0,# It . . . , PKIMq ,IpKIM Awit1/14 __ 1041, . :, / R IV R VI— s t. 4 POLICE \..tok Cp9RfCi10as '.... 'AOLIC *. ,i ill pm ypKllyq . OLp NV .s, A .„K .� : IM ..... : ' � 4' sN s tH�� a 3 � _/ la: - ' ,'�oR G1P� '�OLIGO ,,,,,,/,7/7 ;7 maw e � ef > / ,,,,, Apt'A441 , , • Nal 4 ;Kfi/.4,ith ; *1,,-, 3 0 0 „ , , .. . ._,_ ,-- - , . , . -_ ._t•-„,.., . , • , . _ , ,„,,,,,,, .....,..„. V 1411 ' ,,. ',-= , E5b. 7. , • i tsss a * t +r , MW$ E ,? ' C 4 SAF . � �N A- Oh 11? ii 1956 - - �1N �.• 1 'r:._....__:l_ . ,� ` J.. i. ..,. .., ,.. ...47. ..... yr/,////////// , //, ,, ; / , .,, ; ,,,. , , ,,,.. o D //, ,,,. , AKI M How it Came ' . :. Ouc about... September 5th 2023 E CA August 28th I LOBBY 2023 PRESENTATION FOR TR BA COUNCIL I • TRIBAL LAW & Juno 1st ORDER YPD Commond Staff 2023 COMMITTEE fullsTriball Councril t of i/Imi ilk Chief Murray meets MEET WITH with Council ` YAKAMA POLICE Members at Cowiche Canyon Kitchen COMMISSIONER Chief Murray& Lt. Janis meet with March 14th Yakama Tribal 2023 Commissioner Shike ellihiL , , , ANTI-PATCH Ai- PROPONENT MEETING ree.::: September 12th II 2023 I May-Soptember APPROVAL MULTIPLE PDR LETTER REQUESTS 11 FOR PATCH 1 ` Acknowledgement Letter from Tribal Council- YPD USASGE Patch Honors Yakama /iiiiiiiiiiiii Tribe ri:////////7 / /j _ . Confederated Tribes and Bands Established by the Confederated Tribes and Bands Established by the of the Yakama Nation Treaty of June 9,1855 ?. of the Yakama Nation i Treaty of June 9,1855 • September 12,2023 or an Officer's insignia. By continuing to use the Yakima Police Department's logo, Sent via Email your Department has assumed an important responsibility to respect,acknowledge, and educate yourselves and the community you serve and protect about the Yakama Mathew Murray,Police Chief Nation's customs and traditions on this landscape. Police Department The Yakama Tribal Council has approved your Department's continued use of City of Yakima j your logo. I understand that your Department could not locate any historical 200 South Third Street documents of prior engagement with the Yakama Nation or the origin of this Yakima,WA 98901 imagery going back to 1955. I look forward to a new spirit of cooperation with your (509)575-6200 Department in working towards culturally appropriate policing and safety for all matt.murray@lyakimawa.gov people living in the Yakama Treaty Territory. Re:City of Yakima Police Logo Please don't hesitate to contact Yakama Nation Commissioner of Public Safety James Shike at(509)865-5121 or jamea_ahike@yakama.com. Dear Chief Murray, Sincerely, I write on behalf of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation ("Yakama Nation")to respond to your request for the Yakama Nation's support for the Yakima Police Department's logo,which depicts an Indian wearing a war bonnet ald Lewis, )416 Chairman in red,white,and black colors. I appreciate the current leadership your Department has demonstrated to seek our support and the pride you showed in honoring the first YAKAMA NATION TRIBAL COUNCIL people of this area. In connection with this consent letter,the Yakama Nation expects meaningful and ongoing dialogue and partnership about thoughtfully honoring indigenous heritage through acknowledgment,training requirements,and other initiatives for public education. The Yakama Nation is a federally recognized Native Nation with inherent sovereign and Treaty-reserved rights under the Treaty of 1855("Treaty"). The Yakama Nation provides and advocates for the health,safety,and welfare of more than 11,000 enrolled Yakama members and the largest treaty reservation in Washington State. The Treaty represents a sovereign compact between the United States and the Yakama Nation decades before Washington's statehood. The federal Treaty-power is vested in Constitutional authority and is the supreme law of this land under the U.S.Constitution., The Yakama Nation prohibits the inappropriate use of Native American names, symbols,or images as logos,team names,or mascots. Symbols of the Yakama Nation's culture were given to us by our Creator and developed over thousands of years by our people and,therefore,carry great significance,like the American Flag 'See Treaty with the Yakamaa,U.S.-Yakama Nation,June 9,1855,12 Stat.951. ➢See U.S.Conat.art.VI,cl.2. re//7 / oeN -111 t' i .: X / li _,, 44 spi(4Z01,11 ' [ imr- ViinIZSir 1\ 11 r 0 r P 0 r 1 ,,,,,, „0„, ems.4. • .aft. �i, o ,-F � a ; •• • : A . . . _ .... i I I I I . i I , A / v.. •,. -.., ---- — /144 A .4 10 ' - -4........-- -= '• . ,.., -\::::- NI _ _ / -:- '.7. ••. --. L , - ,11111%dirmi. / ).\i,11 t .... 1 I , —IC)/ Iv, — 11 I v Ls a - .•..,, .,r..MORETHANABADGE o __-,., _ ......., . -- . '41.. . 4'1 4.' V A—•.. : '1 a• • "I 1.- • 7 1 , , •n \ % ‘ 10 •11# ( ' ..4',, OSUMI. .;\ \,-.c..4.t.• ' • cr.,:,, --,,,,,,,:,.. ..., • - .. -N.(.- •:r'''..4, N .1.` . ‘ 1's - '.4.' .r 4s ".,,s,_,—ii."',,..:-L- .t 4 . 0, 1" .-.,. .,' *ilit.f,-7 ' TtaZ " I :4' i.i,".4' .. 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