Starting in 2022, King County government will observe two new paid holidays, Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, subject to available funding resources, bargaining, and potential impacts to existing county services.  

The King County Council passed two Ordinances last year to establish Juneteenth (June 19) and Indigenous Peoples’ Day as paid holidays for King County employees who are eligible for leave benefits starting in 2022. (These new holiday observances are subject to available funding resources, bargaining, and potential impacts to existing County services.)

Based on engagement with Indigenous people who are King County employees and others in the Native community, King County will observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday in October, starting in 2022.

These new holidays represent just a part of our work to build a more racially just King County by honoring and strengthening our understanding of our history. They will be dedicated as days of service and learning and provide an opportunity for us to deepen our knowledge about our nation’s true history, Black and Indigenous heritage and culture, and the many ongoing contributions of Black and Indigenous people in our region. They will also help us sharpen our focus and commitment to undo the institutionalized racist practices and policies that harm Black, Indigenous, and People of Color today.