The Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum presented the City of Olympia and Squaxin Island Tribe with the 2024 Gerry L. Alexander Outstanding Achievement in Heritage Award during the city council meeting on March 5.
According to Olympia Historical Society Board president Greg Griffith, the award recognizes the city and Squaxin Island Tribe for entering an accord that resulted in some actions, including renaming Squaxin Park in 2022.
"The accord and Squaxin Park name-change serves as a model for inter-governmental collaboration and communication," stated the plaque given to the city council.
“I think this is an important award for us to remember that event that the city council and staff undertook a few years ago. It speaks a lot to our governance and community, and our residents are where we are at this point in time, which I think will be recognized as history moves on regarding its importance and significance,” Griffith said, adding that they will be presenting the same plaque to the tribe for their part in this achievement.
Griffith announced that the historical board recently renamed their annual Outstanding Achievement in Heritage award program to the Gerry L. Alexander Heritage Award.
Griffith said the rename of the award after former Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry L. Alexander is a tribute to his legacy and long-standing service and dedication to the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum.
In acknowledging Alexander's service and dedication to the Olympia Historical Society and Bigelow House Museum, Griffith said they named the award after him to establish a lasting tribute to his legacy.
Griffith noted that Alexander served one of the longest terms as Chief Justice in the history of the Washington State Supreme Court.
Griffith also recognized Alexander's role in tribal history. He described how the chief justice initiated a historical review of the 1854 conviction of Chief Leschi of the Nisqually Indian Tribe, which led to Leschi's exoneration more than a century after he was hanged in 1858.
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griffithga
Thank you Lorilyn for including this article about the award in your postings. Much appreciated.
Thursday, March 14 Report this