Apr 14, 2015 - Resolution to be Introduced to Rename Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day in Minneapolis Public Schools

On April 14th, 2015, a resolution will be introduced to the Minneapolis school board to recognize the second Monday in October, the federal holiday Columbus Day, as Indigenous Peoples Day. In April 2014, the Minneapolis City Council unanimously passed an resolution recognizing the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day.

While the Minneapolis school district does not currently recognize Columbus Day on its school calendar, passage of the resolution would place Indigenous Peoples Day on the district calendar.

Passage would also bring continued momentum towards the abolishing of Columbus Day. Last year, resolutions to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day, in replace of Columbus Day, were passed in Minneapolis, Seattle, Bellingham(which renamed Columbus Day to Coast Salish Day), the Seattle school board, and the Portland school board.

The Minneapolis school board resolution:

SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 1
Board of Education
14 April, 2015

RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY

Whereas, the Board of Education, Special School District No. 1,  recognizes and values the contribution to our society’s progress made by American Indian technology, thought, and culture; and

Whereas, the Board understands that to help close the equity gap, government entities, organizations and other public institutions should change their policies and practices to better reflect the experiences of American Indian people and uplift our country’s Indigenous roots, history, and contributions; and

Whereas, the ideas of 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 1990, representatives from 120 Indigenous nations at the First Continental Conference on 500 Years of Indian Resistance unanimously passed a resolution to transform Columbus Day into an occasion to strengthen the process of continental unity and struggle towards liberation, and thereby use the occasion to reveal a more accurate historical record; and

Whereas, the United States federal government, the State of Minnesota, and the City of Minneapolis recognize Columbus Day on the second Monday of October, in accordance with the federal holiday established in 1937;

Whereas, the City of Minneapolis City Council unanimously passed an Indigenous Peoples Day resolution on April 25, 2014, recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day;

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Board of Education, Special School District No. 1, shall recognize Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday in October.

Be it Further Resolved that the Minneapolis Public Schools shall continue its efforts to promote the well-being and growth of the Minneapolis American Indian and Indigenous community.

Be It further Resolved that Indigenous Peoples Day shall be used to reflect upon the ongoing struggles of Indigenous people in our City, and to celebrate the thriving culture and value that Dakota, Ojibwe, and other Indigenous nations add to our city.

Be It Further Resolved, the Board encourages other businesses, organizations and public entities to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day.