Today, President Joe Biden (D) became the first President to issue a proclamation for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, an increasingly celebrated alternative to Columbus Day, that is observed on the 2nd Monday of October (in 2021, that would be on October 11th).
Biden also issued a proclamation for Columbus Day, focused on the role of Italian-Americans in society and also on the role that Christopher Columbus played in oppressing indigenous peoples.
AP, via NewsNation Now:
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Friday issued the first-ever presidential proclamation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, lending the most significant boost yet to efforts to refocus the federal holiday celebrating Christopher Columbus toward an appreciation of native peoples.
Biden also issued a proclamation of Columbus Day on Monday, Oct. 11, which is established by Congress.
“For generations, Federal policies systematically sought to assimilate and displace Native people and eradicate Native cultures,” Biden wrote in the Indigenous Peoples’ Day proclamation. “Today, we recognize Indigenous peoples’ resilience and strength as well as the immeasurable positive impact that they have made on every aspect of American society.”
In a separate proclamation on Columbus Day, Biden praised the role of Italian Americans in U.S. society, but also referenced the violence and harm Columbus and other explorers of the age brought about on the Americas.
Oriana Gonzalez at Axios, via Yahoo! News:
What he's saying: "On Indigenous Peoples' Day, our Nation celebrates the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognizes their inherent sovereignty, and commits to honoring the Federal Government's trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations," Biden said.
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"For generations, Federal policies systematically sought to assimilate and displace Native people and eradicate Native cultures. Today, we recognize Indigenous peoples’ resilience and strength as well as the immeasurable positive impact that they have made on every aspect of American society," he added.
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"The contributions that Indigenous peoples have made throughout history ... are integral to our Nation, our culture, and our society."
President Biden is making the correct move to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
It’s time to abolish Columbus Day and replace the holiday with Indigenous Peoples’ Day (and Election Day) as a national holiday. #AbolishColumbusDay