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Salt Lake City council declares second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Summary
The Salt Lake City Council and mayor adopted a joint resolution declaring the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day and committed to ongoing consultation and support for Indigenous-led programs, with remarks from University of Utah tribal engagement staff.
The Salt Lake City Council on the West Side unanimously adopted a joint resolution declaring the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples’ Day and directed support for Indigenous-led programs and education.
Councilmember Dugan introduced the resolution, saying Salt Lake City recognizes that the city is built on the homelands of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute and Ute tribes and that the city “values Indigenous people’s contribution to our community.” Councilmember Pooley moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Wharton seconded; the motion passed unanimously with Councilmember Young absent.
Samantha Eldridge of the University of Utah Center for Excellence in Tribal Engagement addressed the council after the vote, thanking the city for the acknowledgement and urging the council to carry the resolution into year-round consultation with tribal nations, to support Native-led programs, and to incorporate Indigenous curriculum and ways of knowing across city work. She noted the university’s growing Indigenous enrollment while urging continued action beyond the proclamation.
The resolution text states that the city “commits to supporting the well-being of the Indigenous community and encourages educational recognition of Indigenous people’s history and culture.” The ordinance was recorded as adopted in October 2025.
Council members and the mayor were present for the proclamation and invited further engagement with Indigenous community organizations to implement the policies named in the resolution.
