Honoring Native American Heritage Month

By Metro’s Equity, Inclusion and Belonging team

Each November, Native American Heritage Month invites us to honor the history, cultures and enduring contributions of Native peoples throughout our region and across the nation. At Metro, this is also a time to reflect on how our work connects to the values of stewardship, respect and community—values long upheld by the Indigenous peoples of this land.

We acknowledge that Metro operates on the ancestral lands of the Muckleshoot, Snoqualmie, Puyallup, Tulalip, Suquamish, Coast Salish Tribes and the Duwamish people. These communities have cared for the land and waterways since time immemorial and continue to guide us toward deeper understanding of sustainability, interdependence and belonging.

Last month, King County employees came together to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day through an in-person event convened by the Native American Leadership Council (NALC), Metro’s Equity, Inclusion and Belonging team, and sponsored by multiple King County departments.

This gathering created space for reflection, connection and shared learning—centering Indigenous voices and wisdom while calling on us to practice repair, healing and transformative justice in how we show up for one another and the land.

Learn more through exhibits and upcoming events

Native American Heritage Month reminds us that learning and relationship-building are lifelong practices. As we recognize this month, we encourage you to explore the stories, art and knowledge of Native communities through local museums, cultural centers and events happening across King County. Below are few resources to get started.

• Visit Seattle: Check out this list of Native events, heritage sites and businesses in our area.
• Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center: Located on 20 acres in Seattle’s Discovery Park, this cultural hub serves urban Indians throughout the Seattle area. Accessible via Metro Route 33.
• Snoqualmie Falls: This sacred site holds cultural and spiritual significance for the Snoqualmie Tribe. You can visit via Metro Route 208, departing from the Issaquah Transit Center Monday through Saturday, with a drop-off just half a mile from the falls.
• Honoring Native Heritage Across Washington: Seattle Magazine compiled a list of places to explore some of Washington State’s abundant and incredibly important Native history and heritage.

By learning, listening and showing up in community, we honor the sovereignty and strength of Native peoples and continue Metro’s commitment to building a racially just and inclusive region.