Seattle’s Honors Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Native American Heritage Month with FestivitiesExhibitsand Performances 

SEATTLE – This fallSeattle acknowledges the ongoing contributionsculturesand histories of its Native communities with Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 13 and Native American Heritage Month in November. Seattle visitors and locals alike are encouraged to join the city’s celebrations and to support Native businessesartistsand programs year-round. 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebrations 

Seattle became one of the first U.S. cities to formally recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2014following the advocacy of Native organizers and allies. In celebrationthe United Indians of All Tribes Foundation hosted Seattle’s first Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrationwhich is now an annual tradition and will take place at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center on Oct. 13.  

“We are proud to carry on the tradition of celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center,” said Dr. Michael TuleeChief Executive Officer of United Indians of All Tribes Foundation. “For decadesNative activists and allies fought for the space in which the cultural center is locatedand celebrating this important day here pays honor to our history and heritage. The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center is a major hub for our community and the perfect place to celebrate our pastpresentand future. We invite everyone to come celebrate with us.”   

Visitors and locals are welcome to join the city’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day festivitieslike Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Burke Museum (Oct. 12) and the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration at Pier 62 at Waterfront Park (Oct. 13). 

Native American Heritage Month Events 

For Native American Heritage Month in NovemberSeattle offers a variety of exhibitionsperformancesand programs to dive into.  

The Burke Museum’s new exhibit“Woven in Wool: Resilience in Coast Salish Weaving,” created in partnership with Native artists and the Coast Salish Wool Weaving Centerexplores the seasonal cycle of Coast Salish weavingfrom gathering and preparing materials to production. The exhibit showcases both traditional and contemporary weavings created by the artists in residenceproviding insight into the cultural and scientific significance of Coast Salish weaving. The exhibit will be open through Aug. 302026.  

“As matriarchs and leaderswe are incredibly proud to share this workwhich is important and vital to ceremony and culture,” said members of the Coast Salish Wool Weaving Center.  “We are honoring the responsibility to future generations of Salish people. Carrying knowledge makes us who we are. Along with our ancestorswe weave for our great-great grandchildrenteaching them how important it is to hold on to the culture. ‘Woven in Wool’ is a monumental partnership with the Burke Museum to pass on the teachings to all who seek them.” 

Visitors are also welcome to:  

• Witness a tribe-led live canoe carving program at Seattle’s newest contemporary art centerCannonball Arts. The new creative hub opened on Aug. 20 as a partnership between the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and New Rising Sun. 
• Experience the works of Indigenous creativeslike Seattle-born Duwamish artist Camille Trautman and the late Beau Dick at Frye Art Museum. “Boren Banner Series: Camille Trautman” (Oct. 15 through January 2026) incorporates photography and video to challenge colonial narratives and Indigenous erasure. “Beau Dick: Insatiable Beings” (Oct. 25 through January 2026) is the first U.S. museum survey of the Kwakwaka’wakw Hereditary Chief and master carver.
• Support Indigenous vendors at Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center’s November Native Art Market (Nov. 29-Dec. 1).
• Enjoy the world premiere of “Fancy Dancer,” (through Nov. 2) an autobiographical play by renowned Lakota writer and dancer Larissa FastHorsepresented by Seattle Rep and Seattle Children’s Theatre. 

Cultural Sites to Visit Year-Round 

• Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center is home to a permanent collection of Native artas well as the Sacred Circle Galleryfeaturing rotating exhibits of work by contemporary Native artists. It is the headquarters of the United Indians of All Tribes Foundationwhich provides services and programming to Seattle and King County’s urban Native community.
• Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center is a cedar-post and beam structure that serves as the Duwamish Tribe’s headquarters buildingwith gallery exhibitsprogrammingand community events. When it opened in 2009it was the newest tribal longhouse constructed in Seattle in over 150 years.
• Chief Seattle Statue is a life-size bronze statue of Chief Seattlea leader of the Suquamish and Duwamish tribes. The centerpiece of Tilikum Place Park near Seattle Centerthe sculpture depicts the Chief’s right arm raised in greetinga pose characteristic of the tribal leader who signed a treaty in 1855 on behalf of the Duwamish and Suquamish people.
• Pioneer Squareonce known as “Little Crossing Over Place” (dᶻidᶻəlal̕ič) in the shared Lushootseed languagewas once a gathering place for Coast Salish tribes. At the center of the neighborhoodin the cobblestone Pioneer Place Parkis a totem pole created by Tlingit carver Charles Brown. The park is also home to a bust of Chief Seattle by sculptor James Wehn and artwork called “Day/Night” by Hachivi Edgar Heap of Birdswhich comments on the experiences of Native people in Seattle. One block southeast of Pioneer Place is Occidental Squarehome to several contemporary carvings in traditional Northwest Coast s.
• The Suquamish Museum is a museum dedicated to the Suquamish people located on the Port Madison Reservationless than an hour west of Seattle via the Bainbridge Island ferry. The museum offers permanent exhibitseducational opportunitiesand ongoing programming for the Suquamish Tribe. 

Native-owned Businesses to Support 

• Tidelands: Indigenous-owned art gallery and creative space focused on Native scholarshipstorytellingand art in downtown Seattle.
• Off the Rez Cafe: Cafe at the Burke Museum serving Blackfeet frybread and recipes inspired by the childhood of the owner Mark McConnella Native chef who grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation in BrowningMontana.
• Bury Me in Gold: Piercing shop in South Lake Union that sources ethically made gold body jewelry in a variety of standards.
• Dark Horse Tattoo: Tattoo parlor in Belltown with a collective of artists.
• Eighth Generation: Seattle-based art and life brand owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe that partners with community-based Indigenous artists and operates under the tagline “inspired nativesnot native-inspired.”
• Foggy Tea Shop: Cafe in the Pioneer Square neighborhood offering a variety of teas and tea lattes.
• In Bloom Salon & Beauty Boutique: Salon offering high-quality cosmetic services in Pioneer Square. Services include hairstylinglash extensionsand facial waxing.
• Indian Summer: Vintage store in Capitol Hill that promotes community in Seattle by hosting local events.
• Kaigani Craft: Found in Pike Place MarketKaigani Craft sells handwoven productsfrom jewelry to basketry made by Jacinthe Demmert. Demmert grew up in the Stáas’taas clan of the Haida Nation in Alaskawhere she learned wood-crafting and textile work from her parents.
• MEKA: Seattle-based slow fashion designer who specializes in one-of-a-kind women’s wear.
• Opal Nail Studio: Nail studio in West Seattle specializing in hand-painted nail art.
• Sacred Circle Gallery and Gift Shop: Gift shop owned by the United Indians for All Tribes Foundation that sells 100% Native-designed products in MagnoliaBallardand SEA Airport.
• Ya’axche Massage Therapy: Massage therapy studio in Ballard offering treatments in techniques like fasciacuppingand sports massage.
• Yubəč: New boutique and gift shop in the Fremont neighborhood named for the Lushootseed word for “king salmon.”
• Via Tribunali: Neapolitan pizzeria in the Capitol Hill neighborhood owned by the owners of Off the Rez.
• Native Soul Cuisine: Pop-up restaurant and catering business owned by chef Jeremy Thunderbirdserving Native American comfort foodlike blue corn tamales and Navajo tacos.

Explore more Native-owned businesses in Seattle on The Intentionalistfounded by Seattle leader and entrepreneurLaura Clise.  

History of Indigenous Communities in the Seattle Area 

Seattle is built on Native land – the uncededtraditional territories of the Coast Salish peoplewho have lived and cared for this land and its waters since time immemorial. We honor their enduring connection to this land and commit to learning from and supporting Indigenous communities in meaningful ways.  

Once called “Little Crossing Over Place” (dᶻidᶻəlal̕ič) in the shared Lushootseed languagethe area that is now Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood was a gathering place for Coast Salish tribes to meetsocializetradeand share. Seattle is now named after the hereditary Chief Seattle (siʔaɬ) of the Suquamish and Duwamish peoples and continues to be a place where Native people liveworkcelebrateand steward the land and waters. 

Additional Resources and Content 

For more ways to support the local Indigenous communities and to view Visit Seattle’s Native American Heritage Guideplease see  Visit Seattle’s website. 

Learn more about Indigenous leaders and artists who shape Seattle on VISITSEATTLE.tv:  

• Unsettled Territory | The Fight for Fort Lawton
• Dan Friday | State of Glass

Do you have a recommendation for how to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Native American Heritage Month in Seattle? Please submit your ideas to [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!   

About Visit Seattle
Visit Seattle has served as the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Seattle and King County for more than 50 years. A 501(c)(6) organizationVisit Seattle enhances the economic prosperity of the region through global destination branding along with competitive programs and campaigns in leisure travel marketingconvention salesand overseas tourism development. Visit visitseattle.org.