City Council support of the full Massachusetts Indigenous Legislative Agenda

City of Cambridge O-5 ORIGINAL ORDER IN CITY COUNCIL February 10, 2020 COUNCILLOR NOLAN COUNCILLOR MCGOVERN MAYOR SIDDIQUI COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge believes that the culture of Indigenous peoples is one to be promoted, that the history is rich, diverse, and worthy of celebration, and that the actions and policies of European colonizers of the Americas destroyed a part of that culture, and inhibited the promulgation of it for generations to come; and WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge understands the moral imperative of condemnation of these actions, as we now know them to be violations of justice in the eyes of international, domestic, and moral laws; and WHEREAS: The Cambridge Rindge and Latin School decided in 1989 to change its mascot from the Warriors to the Falcons due to the offensive nature of Indigenous mascots and the stereotypes they perpetuate; and WHEREAS: The City Council adopted <http://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?ID=2762&highlightTerms =indigenous> a policy order on June 6, 2016, stating that the second Monday of October henceforth be commemorated as Indigenous Peoples' Day in Cambridge, in recognition of the Indigenous people’s position as native to these lands, and the suffering they faced following European conquest of their land; and WHEREAS: The City Council adopted <http://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?ID=9657&highlightTerms =massachusetts%20flag> a policy order on June 24, 2019, to find suitable location other than the Sullivan Chamber where the state flag may be displayed in compliance with state law, recognizing that the symbolism on the state flag is a painful reminder of the history of oppression and genocide indigenous peoples suffered at the hands of the colonists; and WHEREAS: The Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning; Public Facilities, Arts, and Celebrations Committee will continue to discuss ways to establish a more robust celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day in Cambridge; now therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the City Council go on record supporting the full Massachusetts Indigenous Legislative Agenda, which includes the actions mentioned above already taken by the City, along with the support for two bills, which call for improving Indigenous educational outcomes (H.444) through the creation of a permanent commission relative to the education of Native American residents of the commonwealth, and protecting Native American Heritage (S.1811/H.2948) by ensuring that Native American objects of cultural patrimony held in governmental, municipal or non-profit collections are not sold for profit; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Clerk be and hereby is requested to forward copies of the Massachusetts Indigenous Legislative Agenda <http://maindigenousagenda.org/wp- content/uploads/2020/01/Support-MA-Indigenous-agenda-Action-2020.pdf> to the Cambridge delegation on behalf of the entire City Council, imploring them to advance the agenda for a vote before the State Legislature.