National Mississippi River Day (June 2, 2026) Copyrighted
May 18, 2026
City of Dubuque PROCLAMATIONS # 2.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: National Mississippi River Day (June 2, 2026)
SUMMARY: On behalf of the Shalom Spirituality Center and Franciscan
Land Justice Team.
SUGGUESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proclamation
Page 61 of 890
�fFIII CI�I�Y OF
DuB E
Mnsterf�iere on the A4ississippi
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WHEREAS, the Mississippi River is one of our nation's most iconic and vital waterways, spanning
approximately 2,350 miles from Minnesota to Louisiana and uniting ten mainstem states
and 32 tributary states in its watershed, serving as a critical source of drinking water for
over 20 million Americans, a vital habitat for diverse birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and
other wildlife, and a powerful economic engine supporting commerce, agriculture,
tourism, and recreation; and
WHEREAS, the health of the Mississippi River is under threat from pollution, habitat loss, climate
change, and other environmental stressors, which impact the communities and
ecosystems that depend on it; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque recognizes that the Indigenous Peoples of this hemisphere have
lived near what we now call the Mississippi River since time immemorial, always
recognizing the profound cultural, spiritual, and ancestral significance of the river, and
that Dubuque was built upon the homelands of the loway, Ho-Chunk, Sioux, Meskwaki,
Miami, and other Indigenous Peoples; and
WHEREAS, One Mississippi and its network of 75 organizations and 20,000 River Citizens have
designated June 2nd as National Mississippi River Day, urging all people to celebrate,
protect, and restore the Mississippi River and its watershed by participating in events and
taking action to safeguard this invaluable resource for generations to come; and
WHEREAS, Dubuque residents may choose to celebrate and safeguard the Mississippi River by
participating in a "River Day Blessing," from 10:00 am —2:00 pm on Tuesday, June 2nd at
the River's Edge Plaza, involving an Indigenous Water Blessing ceremony with Maryellen
Baker and Karen Donahoe of the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe tribe.
NOW THEREFORE, I, BRAD M. CAVANAGH, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, STAFF, AND RESIDENTS OF DUBUQUE, DO HEREBY
PROCLAIM THE 2�d OF JUNE 2026 AS
"National Mississippi River Day"
IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
and caused the Great Seal of the City of Dubuque to
be affixed this 18t" day of May 2026.
Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest:
Trish L. Gleason, MMC, Assistant City Clerk
Page 62 of 890
2026: Submitted by: Jim Earles and Dave Heiar. Accepted by Jim Earles and
Page 63 of 890