Honoring Indigenous communities with deep roots in pre-colonial history and a commitment to preserving culture, identity, and land.

Monday, Oct. 12, 2026
9 – 11 a.m.
Highline College, Building 7

All are welcome to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day with free lectures by Native presenters at Highline College.

The event welcomes everyone and provides an opportunity to recognize the thriving culture and value that neighboring tribes and other Indigenous nations add to the college. Local tribes include Muckleshoot and Lower Elwha S’Klallam tribes. The day also offers attendees the chance to reflect on the ongoing strengths and struggles of Indigenous peoples.

Highline began official recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2016. Over its 10-year history at Highline, it has attracted a combination of Highline College students and community members.

Special thanks for the support of this day to Dr. Rolita Ezeonu, Dr. Maribel Jimenez, Mia Bull, Dr. Hugo Puerto, Ricaflor Fontillas, Dr. Tanya Powers, and Center for Leadership & Service.

Event Schedule

Roger Fernandes9–9:50 a.m.

Storytelling and Coast Salish ArtRoger Fernandes (Lower Elwha S’Klallam), is a Native American artist, storyteller, and educator whose work focuses on the culture and arts of the Coast Salish tribes of western Washington. He has worked in a variety of arenas including Native education, social work, arts, and culture. As an artist he practices and teaches Coast Salish design and as a storyteller he shares storytelling as a foundational human process for teaching and healing. He currently teaches courses on storytelling and art at the University of Washington, Northwest Indian College, and other learning institutions.

Denise and Elise10–10:50 a.m.

Muckleshoot Tribe: The Land We Are On Dr. Denise Bill and Elise Gerrish-Bill (Muckleshoot)  share stories of the ancestral villages and their work in Native education and leadership.

Denise Bill, Ed.D is a Muckleshoot tribal citizen. The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe historically lived throughout the Green, Cedar, White, and Black River Watersheds. The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe has signed both the Medicine Creek Treaty and the Point Elliott Treaty. Dr. Bill comes from the Dr. Willard Bill, Sr. and MaryAnn Bill family.  Dr. Bill has two children (Elise, Andrew), and two grand-children (Lily, Liam).  She currently serves as the Executive Director of Adult & Higher Education for the Muckleshoot Tribal College.

Elise Bill-Gerrish is a Muckleshoot Tribal Member and Muckleshoot Language Caretaker. She earned her Masters in Education from the University of Washington Tacoma where she focused on best practices for Native and Indigenous students. Elise is a committed advocate for healing Native pathways, traditional plant medicine & food systems, Southern Lushootseed revitalization, and Native education. She is currently a professor of American Indian Studies at South Seattle College and professor at Green River College, and is the 2025 Indigenous Storytelling Artist in Residence with Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services. Most importantly, she is a mother to her children, Lily and LIam, who are often by her side in all that she does.

If you require accommodations due to a disability, please contact Access Services at (206) 592-3857 (voice) or by email at access@highline.edu. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

Proclamation

WHEREAS, Highline College recognizes that the Indigenous Peoples of the lands that would later become known as the Americas have occupied these lands since time immemorial; and
 

WHEREAS, Highline College recognizes that the college is built upon the homelands and villages of the Indigenous Peoples of this region, without whom the building of the college would not have been possible; and

WHEREAS, Highline College values the many contributions made to our community through Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge, labor, technology, science, philosophy, arts, and the deep cultural contribution that has substantially shaped the character of Highline College; and

WHEREAS, Highline College has a responsibility to oppose the systemic racism towards Indigenous Peoples in the United States, which perpetuates poverty and income inequality, and exacerbates disproportionate health, education, and social stability; and

WHEREAS, Highline College promotes the closing of the equity gap for Indigenous Peoples through policies and practices that reflect the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, ensure greater access and opportunity, and honor our nation’s Indigenous roots, history, and contributions; and

WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas;

AND, WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples Day offers an opportunity both to reflect upon the ongoing struggles of Indigenous Peoples and to celebrate the thriving culture and value that our neighboring tribes including Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Duwamish, and other Indigenous nations add to our college.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the second Monday in October shall be declared as Indigenous Peoples Day at Highline College.

Proclamation was signed in September 2016 by Dr. Jack Bermingham, who served as Highline’s president, 2006–2017.