"It's a Good Day to be Indigenous." Photo by GMU Native American and Indigenous Alliance
Native American Day? In South Dakota, it is an official state holiday
By Clara Caufield
Native Sun News Today Columnist
nativesunnews.today In Montana, most of the schools, banks and even some private businesses are closed on October 10 to celebrate Columbus Day. Even on the many reservations! Good grief. If you think about it, what is there for native people to celebrate about Columbus Day? The beginning of near genocide of native people? The loss of almost all our land? The virtual extinction of many of the Tribes that were here when Columbus arrived? Actually, it seems he didn’t so much as arrive here, as being incredibly lost. Maybe we should have a Viking Day instead. It seems they actually made to our land first. In Montana, in September we celebrate American Indian Day which goes on for nearly a week on most of Montana Indian reservations. It is a day especially recognized by the State which uses that opportunity to encourage the non-native people to take some time to learn more about the Montana native people, our history, culture and contemporary circumstances. It’s also a strong opportunity to encourage our young people and communities to feel very good about our heritage. American Indian Day is wonderful, but another idea is taking hold across the country, which is to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People’s Day. Many cities and communities across the country, such as Denver, have already started doing this. What a great idea. There was actually a nice radio piece about that covered by main stream media which can certainly influence public opinion.
Read the rest of the story on the Native Sun News Today website: Native American Day? In South Dakota, it is an official state holiday (Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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