General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAlaska renames Columbus Day to be Indigenous Peoples Day
Effective Date: Monday, October 12th, 2015
WHEREAS, the Indigenous Peoples of the lands that would later become known as Alaska have occupied these lands since time immemorial, and Alaska is built upon the homelands and communities of the Indigenous Peoples of this region, without whom the building of the state would not be possible; and
WHEREAS, we value the many contributions made to our communities through Indigenous Peoples knowledge, labor, technology, science, philosophy, arts, and the deep cultural contribution that has substantially shaped the character of Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the State recognizes the fact that Alaska is one big village, with over 16 percent of the State population having indigenous heritage the highest percentage among all the United States; and
WHEREAS, the State opposes systematic racism toward Indigenous Peoples of Alaska or any Alaskans of any origin and promotes policies and practices that reflect the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, ensure greater access and opportunity, and honor our nations indigenous roots, history, and contributions; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; and
WHEREAS, in 2011 the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, representing 59 Tribes from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Northern California, Western Montana, and some Alaskan Tribes, passed resolution #11-57 to Support to Change Columbus Day (2nd Monday of October) to Indigenous Peoples Day; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska joins a growing number of cities that have recognized the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day, creating an opportunity to promote appreciation, tolerance, understanding, friendship, and partnerships among Indigenous Peoples and all Alaskans.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Bill Walker, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim October 12, 2015 as:
Indigenous Peoples Day
http://gov.alaska.gov/Walker/press-room/full-proclamation.html?pr=7296
I guess renaming Mount McKinley wasn't enough...
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)That piece of human garbage should be dug up and hanged. I'd rather have "filthy cockroach day" then that disgusting human associated with anything I had to do with...
PS: I don't like Columbus
ladyVet
(1,587 posts)I don't "do" Columbus Day. I haven't participated in any related events in at least 30 years, when I finally got tired of being expected to celebrate the man's "achievement". He wasn't the first person to find this continent, anyway so why does he get all the credit?
NonMetro
(631 posts)But, he gets the credit because 1492 really does mark a turning point in history, and greatly expanded human knowledge of the geography of this planet. Nobody knew there were two continents between Europe and Asia prior to that time - not even the people who were already here. Columbus, though he never knew the magnitude of what he did, really did discover that.
Did he do bad things, too? Yup! But 1492 is still a turning point in the history of the world, and he gets credit for it.
MisterP
(23,730 posts)It's also worth noting Columbus wasn't the first European to reach the new world. Viking traders reached Newfoundland almost 500 years before Columbus.
NonMetro
(631 posts)Yea Irish! People at the History Channel have said ancient Egyptians sailed a reed boat here thousands of years before that - Yea Egyptians! - and also that the Japanese, and the Hebrews discovered America before them - Yea Japanese and Hebrews! Then, during the last Ice Age, well, Europeans really did discover America! and were the first ones here, too, when they rowed their boats along the edge of the glacier that covered the north - Yea Europeans!
Finally, we get to the ancient aliens "theorists" who who assert that space aliens were not merely here first, but actually taught the Aztecs, etc., how to do everything they ever did, and even provided extra-terrestrial assistance with their advanced machines - Yea ET!
But, you now - Yea Norsemen! - too! And Yea Asians! Who crossed the land bridge - we think - thousands of years ago to become Native Americans.