Today, we honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Seattle by sharing an incredible story about local baseball history that deserves to be known by every fan in the city. A century ago, the Suquamish Tribal Baseball Team wasn't just a local league; they were a group of All-Stars who represented their tribe and their community on an international scale, traveling to Japan in 1921. This monumental tour, composed of some of the best tribal and regional talent, placed Indigenous athleticism on a global map and created a legacy that, in the words of Chairman Leonard Forsman, became a major focus of their history.

This incredible story provides a vital context for the significance of today’s celebration. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is about acknowledging the deep history, cultural continuity, and community resilience of the Suquamish and other Native nations. Their passion for baseball—a game that served as a unifying force and source of community pride—is an inspiring example of how Indigenous communities have maintained and shared their culture, even as they went up against teams from tribes much larger than their own. Their enduring success on the diamond is a testament to their strength.

The excitement that powered the 1921 Suquamish All-Stars is the same fierce regional pride that is driving the Seattle Mariners' historic playoff run in the ALCS. The energy in the city is electric, mirroring the powerful sense of community and excitement that the Suquamish team brought home a century ago. On this important day of recognition, we connect our present success to our profound past, celebrating both the history-makers of the Suquamish Tribe and the Mariners as they continue to write a new chapter of Northwest baseball lore.