Indigenous Peoples Day
Events are taking place across the country, with several efforts coming forward to end Columbus day and make Indigenous peoples day a Federal holiday.
Indigenous Peoples Day is gearing up to be a huge celebration, with groups and organizations coordinating events to bring folks together.
Here's What's Going On In Indian Country, October 5-12
Sign the letter here to tell Congress to pass the Indigenous Peoples Day Act, making it a federal holiday:
Minnesota to Celebrate Indigenous People's Day as State-Recognized Holiday for First Time Ever
For the first time ever, Minnesota will observe Indigenous Peopleās Day as a state-recognized holiday, and schools that remain open will dedicate at least one hour to educating students about the dayās significance.Ā
While Indigenous Peopleās Day has been celebrated in Minnesota via proclamation for many years, state lawmakers passedĀ HF 211Ā in February, following years of advocacy by the Minnesota House Native American Legislative Caucus and members of the eleven tribal nations in Minnesota.
Amherst students bring call to drop Columbus Day to State House
As fifth graders at Fort River School in Amherst last spring, weeks of research into a change they would like to see in the world prompted students to champion the idea of Indigenous Peoples Day becoming a state holiday.
On Tuesday afternoon, three sixth graders brought their expertise on the topic to a state legislative hearing, offering testimony on Senate and House bills that would officially remove Columbus Day as a holiday on the second Monday in October each year and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day.
āWe believe it is wrong to honor someone who treated Indigenous people so badly,ā sixth grader Elo Schwabe told the members of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
In a huge bipartisan vote of 378 to 32, the US House passed the Native American Child Protection Act (NACPA).
Some of the highlights of the NACPA:
Creates a National Indian Child Resource and Family Services Center that will provide technical assistance and training to Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native urban organizations.
Allows grant funds to support the development of intergovernmental agreements between Tribes and states to improve responses to child abuse, neglect, and family violence and supports the use of culturally appropriate services.
Revises the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Program to allow funding to be used for additional activities such as operational costs for child protective services.
Includes Native urban organizations as eligible entities when working in partnership with a tribe.
This bill is now heading to the Senate, and you can show your support here: