OLYMPIA — John McCoy worked tirelessly to get education on Native American tribes in the Pacific Northwest into schools, state Rep. Debra Lekanoff said.
Now, she wants to pay tribute to McCoy’s work by renaming the curriculum he pushed for in his honor.
McCoy, a lawmaker and member of the Tulalip Tribes, served the 38th Legislative District in the state House of Representatives for 10 years and the state Senate for nearly seven years before retiring in 2020.
He died last year at the age of 79.
Lekanoff, a Democrat from Anacortes, met McCoy two decades ago while working in governmental affairs for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. McCoy was a mentor to her, especially when she was elected as a state representative in 2018, she said.
In 2005, McCoy spearheaded legislation to encourage schools to teach Washington’s tribal history, culture and government. In 2015, he helped modify the law to mandate, rather than just encourage, that education in K-12 schools.
The curriculum, endorsed by all 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington, was originally named “Since Time Immemorial.” Lekanoff’s bill proposes to change the name to “The John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial curriculum.”
“His understanding was if you can educate the next generation, you can build those leaders of tomorrow, who can better work together,” Lekanoff said.
If passed, Lekanoff said it would be a historic moment in the state. Her bill uses McCoy’s traditional Lushootseed name, lulilaš, making it the first time a word in the Coast Salish language would be written into law, she said.
“It’s a beautiful reflection of what John did,” she said.
Rep. Julio Cortes, D-Everett, serves in the same district McCoy did years ago and is a co-sponsor of Lekanoff’s House Bill 1879.
“When I first met him, I never envisioned myself as a state representative,” said Cortes, now entering his second legislative session as a state rep. “I looked up to him.”
Cortes remembers McCoy as someone who embraced change. He was full of kindness and energy, Cortes said.
If Lekanoff’s bill passes, Cortes said it will be a great way to remember McCoy and his work.
“It’s important to learn about our history, the good, the bad and the ugly,” Cortes said.
Before entering state government, McCoy served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years.
As both a veteran and a Native American, McCoy knew it was important to educate Washingtonians about the cultures of the tribes that originated here, Lekanoff said.
“What better place to start that than with our children in our school systems,” she said.
When he came back to Tulalip after his service, he worked as the tribes’ executive director of governmental affairs. McCoy played a key part in founding the Tulalip Resort Casino.
In Olympia, he fought to further tribal sovereignty and education. While in the Senate, he was the only state senator who identified as Native American.
In 2019, Lekanoff and McCoy worked together to pass the Native American Voting Rights Act.
The law makes it easier for tribal members to register to vote and cast a ballot by allowing non-traditional addresses like P.O. boxes to be registered and allowing tribes to request ballot drop boxes on their reservations.
“He was that voice of conduit that brought tribal, state and local together collaboratively understanding that we’re all one Washington,” Lekanoff said.
The 60-day legislative session began Monday.
Jenelle Baumbach: 360-352-8623; jenelle.baumbach@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @jenelleclar.
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