MINNEAPOLIS – The Minneapolis city council this morning passed a resolution changing the name of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day in that city.
Supporters of the change said that the change comes after “decades of community organizing and activism from countless individuals, organizations and groups”. Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges had publicly supported the change.
In an interview with MPR News, Bill Means, a Minnesota of Native American heritage, said “We had been edited out of existence in the public school system. To say Columbus discovered America is one of the first lies we’re told in public education.”
Indigenous groups and leaders rallied before, during and after the city council vote today at a community reception, according to reports. The Ringing Shield Drum group; indigenous leaders and allies – including the first elected Native American woman to serve in the Minnesota State Legislature, State Rep. Susan Allen; Native American Community Development Institute President/CEO Jay Bad Heart Bull; International Indian Treaty Council, Co-Founder Bill Means, US Congressman Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and others were present.
MPR News reported that Native American Community Development Institute President Jay Bad Heart Bull said Columbus Day represents the threats that American Indians have faced since Europeans came to the continent, including disease, conquest, dislocation and disruptions of their cultures.
He said pushing back against the popular conception that Christopher Columbus “discovered” America is part of reclaiming their history.
“A lot of kids and adults grew up thinking that Columbus was this great guy who contributed a lot to world history,” Bad Heart Bull said. “He actually led a lot of devastating movements against indigenous people”.
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