Hilltop Children’s Center is a place where childhood is celebrated and learning is an adventure! We believe every child deserves a place where they feel loved, valued, respected, and inspired to learn. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an opportunity to reflect on what these values mean and how we can help children grow with an appreciation for the people, cultures, and histories that shape our communities.
Observed on the second Monday of October, Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors Indigenous peoples and offers an opportunity to learn about their histories, cultures, and continuing contributions. Here in Washington State, Indigenous history is deeply connected to the places where we live, learn, and gather. The Pacific Northwest is home to many Tribal nations, each with its own distinct history, traditions, and cultural practices. Learning more about these communities helps us better understand the place we call home and reminds us that their stories extend far beyond what is taught in traditional history lessons.
At Hilltop and throughout the Seattle area, we are situated on the ancestral and unceded territory of Coast Salish peoples, including the traditional lands of the Duwamish, Suquamish, Stillaguamish, and Muckleshoot Tribes. Indigenous peoples have lived in this region for thousands of years, and Tribal communities continue to maintain a significant cultural presence today. Acknowledging this history is one step toward continued learning, respect, and meaningful connections to the land and the people who have cared for it across generations.
At Hilltop, we recognize that learning begins long before children enter a classroom. The books we share, the stories we tell, and the questions we encourage all help shape how children understand the world. When children encounter a variety of cultures and perspectives in age-appropriate ways, they have opportunities to build empathy, develop curiosity, and learn to appreciate one another’s differences. We encourage our Hilltop community to keep learning about local Tribal nations, Indigenous restorative justice, and ways to form meaningful connections to the land we are on.
Families can continue these conversations at home by sharing stories written and illustrated by Indigenous authors and artists. The Conscious Kid has a helpful resource featuring age-appropriate books about Indigenous stories, land, culture, and continuance: Indigenous Books for Kids: Stories of Land, Culture, and Continuance.
As a reminder, Hilltop will be closed on Monday, October 12, in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We hope this holiday offers our community a meaningful opportunity to learn, reflect, and celebrate the Indigenous peoples and histories that are an essential part of our past, present, and future.
Thank you and enjoy the holiday weekend!