The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, Nov. 5, celebrated its monthly Proclamation Day by approving three proclamations.
“We really look at these proclamations as a way to honor, celebrate and recognize groups and individuals for their achievements, or as an opportunity to raise awareness on significant issues that are affecting our community here in Multnomah County,” said Chair Jessica Vega Pederson.
“Today we’re creating space for three proclamations that celebrate the traditions, languages, stories and contributions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and affiliated island communities; that honor our veterans who have answered the call of duty and service; and to recognize the thousands of family caregivers in our community who are providing essential care for their loved ones.”
Native American Heritage Month
The Board proclaimed November 2025 as Native American Heritage Month in Multnomah County. The proclamation acknowledges the many contributions made by the Native American peoples throughout our community and organization.
Chair Vega Pederson shared appreciation for the indigenous staff at County libraries who have put together a calendar of events this month across County libraries that will allow the community to enjoy Native story times, poetry readings, musical performances, and a number of arts and crafts classes.
“Multnomah County and its staff partner with Native American tribes and their citizens on services and programs through County libraries, health, and schools everyday,” said Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards. “The County recognizes Native American tribes and their citizens have a special relationship and unique status with the United States and local governments and with our community, and the County honors this relationship.”
Commissioner Brim-Edwards, who co-sponsored the proclamation with the County’s Office of Government Relations, welcomed and thanked JR Lilly (Diné Nation), the County’s tribal relations liaison, and members of the Mamuk Tillikums Employee Resource Group, who brought the proclamation forward.
“Today we’re here to honor the unique relationship that Multnomah County has with local tribes, as well as with the urban community,” said Lilly.
Steela Robedeaux (Otoe-Missouria Tribe), an Indigenous library assistant for the Holgate Library, and Terresa White (Yup’ik and Mixed European), a Health Department tobacco program partner coordinator, read the proclamation in English.
“Today, more than 380 tribal nations are represented throughout Multnomah County, shaping our region with our invaluable contributions, passing down strong cultural practices, knowledge, and values rooted in tradition and community,” said Robedeaux.
Many members of these tribes, she said, “work throughout the County's departments and programs, furthering our organization's mission daily.”
“This month brings an opportunity to educate the public about our shared history of how attempted erasure devastated Indian Country, and those deliberate acts can still be felt today through oppressive policies and practices woven throughout our government systems, including Multnomah County,” said White.
“Multnomah County is committed to working together in a spirit of mutual recognition, respect and reconciliation towards strengthened relationships and services in partnership with tribal communities and our employees.”
Community leader Raven Harmon (Athabaskan) read the proclamation in Chinuk Wawa, one of the languages of Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes.
Veterans Day
The Board proclaimed Nov. 11, 2025, as Veterans Day in Multnomah County.
Commissioner Shannon Singleton, who co-sponsored the proclamation, shared a personal story about her father’s experience navigating life as a veteran after the Vietnam War.
He was, she said, “somebody whose experience of active duty and coming home was definitely clouded by his race and being a Black man in that era. I saw the impact his time in the military had on his life, my life and our family. When our servicepeople come home, they bring a lot back with them that we don't speak enough about.”
According to the proclamation, Multnomah County is home to an estimated 37,041 veterans.
Multnomah County Veterans Services Program Supervisor Sheila Balbin prefaced the proclamation by sharing with the Board, “I am a proud daughter myself of a retired U.S. Navy command master chief who served our country for 30 years. My work and leadership is driven by my father's perseverance and sacrifice for our country, along with the veterans and families in our community and the veterans on my team.”
The Veteran Services team connects people who served in the military with federal benefits such as Veterans Affairs compensation and pensions, dependency and indemnity compensation and survivor pensions, medical care, education, vocational rehabilitation and employment, VA home loan guarantee, adapted housing and automobile equipment, and memorial benefits.
Balbin shared that in Fiscal Year 2025, the team secured more than $4.9 million in retroactive federal benefits and over $1 million in monthly federal benefits for veterans and surviving dependents of Multnomah County.
Veterans Service Officer and Navy veteran Eric Windham then read the proclamation.
“Veterans Day is a time for Americans to honor every service member who has ever worn one of our nation’s uniforms,” said Windham. “Throughout our history, U.S. citizens and noncitizens have answered the call to duty and served our country with honor, dignity and an instinct to serve.
“Multnomah County is committed to providing the support and care that all veterans have earned, including improved access to employment, benefits, housing and healthcare. In observance of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, 2025, all veterans and current members of the Armed Forces, Active, Reserve and National Guard will be remembered and honored in Multnomah County.”
For the third time, Multnomah County will join the National Association of Counties in participating in Operation Green Light for Veterans — an awareness campaign that shines a light on the needs of veterans and services provided by the County. The Morrison Bridge will be lit green Monday, Nov. 10, and Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11. to signal the County’s support for veterans and to inspire veterans to reach out to their County for help.
National Family Caregivers Month
Multnomah County proclaimed November 2025 as National Family Caregivers Month.
Chair Vega Pederson prefaced the proclamation by asking the audience to “recognize the invaluable contributions of the thousands of family caregivers in our community who are making tremendous sacrifices to support their loved ones.”
“The role is incredibly demanding,” she continued. “It is unpaid and, because it is predominantly done by women and particularly women of color, the work is often uncelebrated and undervalued in our society.”
Caregivers Suzanne Sigafoos, Shawn Daniels and Claudia Craig, alongside Multnomah County Family Caregiver Support Program Specialist Jen Foreman, read the proclamation.
“Multnomah County’s family caregivers make tremendous sacrifices to support a loved one who is aging, has a disability, and/or lives with dementia,” said Sigafoos. “Family caregiving work is emotionally and physically demanding, and is often unpaid.”
“Based on the national average, approximately 150,000 Multnomah County residents — our colleagues, friends, and neighbors — are part of the ‘sandwich generation,’ caring for both young kids and aging parents at the same time, which presents additional challenges,” said Daniels.
“I had the honor of eight years of caregiving for my partner of 31 years who was suffering from a very rare brain illness, and her one request was to die at home and I was going to make sure that happened,” said Craig.
In LGBTQ+ communities, caregiving is often done by chosen family members rather than those who are biologically or legally related to the person needing care, explained Craig. These caregivers are often under-supported, as many policies (like the Family and Medical Leave Act) do not support caring for a chosen family member.
“This month we recognize all those who are providing unpaid care for loved ones,” said Foreman. “We honor their strength, courage and care, and we recommit to supporting family caregivers as they care for others.”
During Family Caregivers Month, Foreman said, “we acknowledge every family caregiver in Multnomah County for the care and support that they give to others. Additionally, as an employer, we acknowledge and support Multnomah County employees who care for their aging and disabled family members.”
Aging, Disability & Veterans Services Division Director Irma Jimenez and the American Association of Retired People (AARP) co-sponsored the proclamation.
