Bellingham celebrates Coast Salish Day instead of Columbus Day

The city of Bellingham will celebrate Coast Salish Day on Monday, Oct. 12, while most of the nation celebrates the federally recognized holiday, Columbus Day,
Speakers and performers from Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Bellingham City Council will be at a celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Hall, 210 Lottie St.

Roxanne Murphy, the Bellingham City Council member who helped pusg for the change last year to honor local tribes said “It’s going to be an incredible experience that people won’t want to miss.”

Bellingham is one of a few cities that have changed the holiday to recognize Native Americans. Seattle will celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day this year.

Washington is among several states that don’t celebrate Columbus Day as a legal holiday. City offices will remain open.