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Countries like India have reverted to the original names of states that had been renamed by the British to move on from their colonial history. America has been engaged in a similar debate: should the public holiday named after Christopher Columbus be replaced with Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
Washington DC had voted in favor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the year 2019. In 2021, President Joe Biden became the first US president to recognize the same. More states are gradually moving to honor the indigenous way of life.
Why is it a Problem?
Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday of October, has its share of controversies. While Christopher Columbus is said to have discovered the ‘new world,’ he is seen as a colonizer rather than an explorer.
After he set foot in America, their land was forcibly taken away from the indigenous people, followed by widespread genocide and enslavement. Millions already lived in North America as Columbus arrived in the Americas. He also never set foot in the current United States.
What is Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the history and culture of the Native American People. It is believed that South Dakota, which has a large population of Native Americans, was the first to officially recognize the day in 1990.
In 1992, Berkeley, California became the first city to officially replace Columbus Day to honor the Native American people. Santa Cruz was the next to adopt the holiday in the year 1994. It is observed as a holiday in many American states now, including Alaska and New Mexico.
In October 2021, President Joe Biden signed a declaration to observe October 11 as a public holiday dedicated to the indigenous people. He became the first president to formally recognize the day.
Why is it Important?
Observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day not only honors a community that has lived in the United States for thousands of years, but also gives young Americans a chance to understand the country’s history.
As part of the school curriculum, students often learn an inaccurate version of the story of the arrival of Columbus. In addition, the Indigenous people are not accurately represented. Indigenous Peoples’ Day serves to remind students that the Native American people are as much a part of America today as they were in the past.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Was Columbus Day renamed?
Many states and cities in the US have replaced the public holiday of Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
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Why should we replace Columbus Day?
The Indigenous people consider Columbus Day a controversial holiday. They view the Italian explorer as a colonizer whose arrival was followed by death and enslavement.
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Are people in favor of Columbus Day?
Yes, many communities still favor Columbus Day and the idea of Indigenous Peoples’ Day has met with resistance. They consider Columbus Day an important part of American history.
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What states replaced Columbus Day?
Over a dozen states in the US now observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day. President Joe Biden himself has signed a declaration to formally recognize the day.
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Who came up with Indigenous Peoples Day?
In 1997, indigenous people proposed the idea at a UN conference that addressed discrimination against Native Americans.
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