PORT ANGELES – The city of Port Angeles will officially recognize two new holidays.
The city council this week unanimously approved adding “Indigenous People’s Day” and “Juneteenth”.
Beginning this year, the second Monday in October will be officially called “Indigenous Peoples Day”. That date is usually the federal Columbus Day holiday. Next year, June 19 will be officially observed as “Juneteenth”.
The city is adding the language to its ordinances and city code to make both changes official city statute.
The move comes after years of debate over the “Indigenous People’s” declaration becoming a codified, official holiday in the city. The Juneteenth holiday follows a city proclamation on June 16 this year with the council affirming the city stands in condemning racism and violence. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.