Tribal sovereignty finally getting the attention it deserves

Growing up, most of us celebrated Columbus Day – a day that for many native people brings anger and sadness. Today though, a new generation of Lummi children will grow up celebrating Lhaqtemish Day or Coast Salish Day thanks to the support and thoughtfulness of our local governments. The Lummi Indian Business Council recently renamed the holiday after our people. And last year, the Bellingham City Council honored our local history by renaming this painful reminder of the harm done to our people and our lands.

It seems that more and more, the rights of indigenous people are getting the attention they have always deserved. Thanks to recent events in North Dakota, people across the United States are getting an education in sovereignty that our school system never delivered.

Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article105242091.html#storylink=cpy