Target: Ben Stuckart, Spokane City Council President
Goal: Applaud council decision to rename Columbus Day “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”
The city of Spokane, Washington will no longer celebrate Columbus Day, as the title has been swapped out for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The City Council voted 6-1 in favor of the resolution, noting the need to pay respect to the area’s Native American tribes.
Christopher Columbus has long been a controversial figure. Despite his important role as an explorer, Columbus also participated in the slave trade and genocide of Native Americans. At the town hall meeting in Spokane, members of the Spokane, Nez Perce, Colville, and other tribes argued that a man guilty of such crimes should not be honored with his own holiday.
The movement to rename the holiday has been gaining traction, as evidenced by the ForceChange petitions found here and here. Spokane joins a growing list of major cities to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Other cities to make this change include Seattle, Boulder, and Minneapolis.
Renaming Columbus Day is a show of respect for Native American tribes who were slaughtered at the hands of conquering invaders, and Spokane deserves credit for this progressive move. Sign the petition below to thank the city council for making the right decision.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Stuckart,
I am writing to commend your council’s decision to end recognition of Columbus Day and instead celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Though Christopher Columbus made a number of significant discoveries, his genocidal crimes cannot be overlooked. Columbus was engaged in the slave trade and the spread of disease, and his oppression of Native Americans should not be honored with a national holiday.
This decision recognizes the unjust suffering that Native American tribes have been forced to endure and offers them a small measure of closure. Please know that you and the rest of the council have my full gratitude.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Oscar
not just washington but in all 50 states u replace columbus day with indigenous peoples day right now! do better than that! columbus day shouldve celebrated in italy long ago! if u just give the land back to the indigenous people thats wonderful.