Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Committee Meetings
(4th Thursday each month)
No DEIJ Committee meeting in July -
Thursday, August 27th
6:30 - 8:00 pm on Zoom
We encourage our members to ...
Be Inspired by Tribal Canoe Families at the July 31 Ceremonial Landing:
Watching the landing ceremony as canoe families from tribes throughout the Pacific Northwest is inspiring. Since 1989 when tribes revived the annal canoe journey the summertime travels on the waterways that long connected tribes tribal people say the journeys have strengthened cultural learnings. You can catch the spirit of the Medicine Creek Potlatch Journey by visiting the landing site at Sequalitchow Creek anytime between 12:30 and 5 pm July 31.
The Sequalitchow Creek landing is a 1 ½ mile walk from the parking area at Dupont City Hall (1700 Civic Drive, Dupont off exit 118 if you are heading north on I-5 – I am giving myself 30 minutes to get there and park). The walk is a pleasant, nearly flat, wooded trail. Those unable to walk can travel by golf cart or join others to view video of the ceremony from rooms at the City Hall facilities. Activities and information booths will be available at the farmers market area by City Hall.
This is a ceremonial landing. After the formal request to land and being given permission to do so (sometimes in tribal languages) the canoe family pulls away to travel up Puget Sound a short distance where their canoes are put on trailers for their 5 day stay for the Potlatch. Canoe families camp at a site near the Youth Center at the Nisqually Reservation to participate in the protocols August 1 to 5. There is still time to volunteer in the protocol area. The greatest need is for food serving and cleanup. A food handler card is required and easy to obtain Washington State Food Worker Course Fill out a volunteer form 2026 Canoe Journey Volunteer Application.
Click to see the DEIJ Committee Goals and Actions Work Plan:
2026-2027 DEIJ Goals & Actions
CENTERING BELONGING IN COMMUNITY
Thurston Forward Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Summit
May 1st & May 2nd 2026
Celebrating DEIB in Thurston County!
We are honored to be in community with so many leaders, presenters and contributors who have given their time, expertise, perspectives and commitment to the work they do building and strengthening relationships making Thurston a place to belong, live, work, play, learn and love.
The Thurston Forward DEIB Summit would not be possible without the generous co-sponsors for their financial support as well as the on-going and painstaking work it has taken to plan this utterly unique experience.
Pictured DEIB Summit Planners:
Right to left – Golden Neal, Monk Works; Kenny Yarbrough, Thurston County; Veronica Hand, City of Lacey;
Alli Ewing, YWCA Olympia; Carol Goss, LWVTC; Nicole Miller, LWVTC; Amity Muntz Reed, OlyFed; Tobi Hill-Meyer, City of Olympia; Denise Mino, NAACP; Kyeshia Likely, YMCA of Olympia; Lin Crowley, APIC/SPS
In addition to those pictured here, our heartfelt gratitude to all of the contributing planners of the Youth Summit, Resource Tables and to the community volunteers.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Committee Meetings
e Committee member activities - Download report by clicking: DEI & Justice Activities and Events 2020-2025
Activities: 2023 - 2025
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Racial Justice & Belonging: A Community Conversation with Local Leaders.What Jurisdictions Are Doing to Create a More Equitable Thurston County. Panelists presented diversity and equity plans and initiatives to create a more welcoming Thurston County. 2023 and 2024
- Walk with Erin Jones
- Attended “pop-up” Black History Museum sponsored by New Life Baptist Church
- Lunch with the League at ASHHO Cultural Community Center
- Co-sponsored panel discussion, “Committing to Equitable, Inclusive K-12 Schools”. Panelists represented Professional Educators Standards Board; WA State School Director’s Association; Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight & Accountability Committee and students.
- Co-sponsored 5/10/25 inaugural Thurston Forward: A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit for Progress brought together 15 community partners and more than 100 participants from across Thurston County.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, and INCLUSION POLICY
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy LWV is an organization fully committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in principle and in practice. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the organization’s current and future success in engaging all individuals, households, communities, and policy makers in creating a more perfect democracy.
There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, native or indigenous origin, age, generation, sexual orientation, culture, religion, belief system, marital status, parental status, socio-economic status, language, accent, ability status, mental health, educational level or background, geography, nationality, work style, work experience, job role function, thinking style, personality type, physical appearance, political perspective or affiliation and/or any other characteristic that can be identified as recognizing or illustrating diversity.
Discrimination or harassment of any kind will not be accepted within the League, including but not limited to race, socio-economic status, age, ability status, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, or marital status. The League is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging for all people. The League is an organization that respects and values the richness of our community and our members. The collective sum of our individual differences and life experiences represents not only our culture, but our reputation and the organization's mission and achievements as well.
LWVTC Board Approved 8/28/24
Land Acknowledgement
The League of Women Voters meets on the ancestral land of the Tribal People of Chehalis, Nisqually, and Squaxin Island Tribes. We acknowledge and remember those Tribal People not recognized today who were absorbed, or relocated into other tribes for survival. We recognize and respect the ancestors and their descendants who are still here today. We recognize and respect the Tribal People of Thurston County as the traditional stewards of this land since time immemorial and their role today in taking care of these lands in perpetuity. We recognize and have the responsibility to call attention to the histories of dispossession, forced removal, and abridged treaty rights that allowed our nation, state, and cities to develop as they have today. We recommend that League members and community read the Study of Thurston Area Tribal Nations.