turtleislandmohawk:

Following a growing trend, the city council of Albuquerque, New
Mexico has voted six to three to recognize October 12th – typically
known to most as “Columbus Day” within the USA– as Indigenous Peoples’
day in a new proclamation. Albuquerque has the highest concentration of Indigenous people in New Mexico.

In the past two months, eight cities got rid of Columbus Day in favor
of adopting Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Three of those cities adopted
Indigenous Peoples’ Day this week.

1. Albuquerque, New Mexico
   – The city’s formal declaration”encourages businesses, organizations
   and public entities to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day, which shall be
   used to reflect upon the ongoing struggles of Indigenous people on this
   land, and to celebrate the thriving culture and value that our
   Indigenous nations add to our City.”
2. Lawrence, KS – Since
   September, students from Haskell University in Lawrence, Kansas have
   been taking initiative and pushing for the city to honor their ancestors
   by declaring October 12th Indigenous Peoples’ day. Just this Wednesday,
   they won.
   
3. Portland, OR – Portland’s City Council declared Indigenous Peoples’ day on Tuesday, something tribal leaders have been seeking since 1954.
4. St. Paul, MN – In
   August, St. Paul followed Minneapolis by declaring Indigenous Peoples’
   Day instead of Columbus Day. Minneapolis passed its own resolution last
   year.
5. Bexar County, TX – The resolution was passed Tuesday, and local activists intend to press for the same thing in San Antonio.
6. Anadarko, OK – In
   September, Anadarko declared Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Anadarko Mayor
   Kyle Eastwood signed the proclamation while surrounded by tribal leaders
   from the Apache, Choctaw, Delaware, Wichita and others.
7. Olympia, WA – Mayor
   Pro Tem Nathaniel Jones presented Olympia’s proclamation at a rally in
   August. Nearly 150 people showed up to support the initiative.
8. Alpena, MI – In
   September, Mayor Matt Waligora declared Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The
   city says they desire “to develop a strong and productive relationship
   with all indigenous peoples, including the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe, based
   on mutual respect and trust.”

These cities are following in the footsteps of Seattle and Minneapolis. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City came close to passing it in September and will try to pass it again on October 13th, the day after the holiday.

City Council Member Rey Garduño wrote and proposed the proclamation, with guidance from local activists. The campaign was initiated last year during an “Abolish Columbus Day” demonstration at City Hall.

Although these changes have been quite recent, the struggle for the
recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day has been going on since 1954, when
the idea was first proposed in Portland, OR.

The Albuquerque Police Department have a notorious record of
harassing and killing oppressed people. Their law enforcement divisions
have shot 50 people resulting in 28 fatalities since 2010. In Albuquerque, Indigenous people compose 4.6 of the city’s population, but 13% of its consistently homeless population.

This name change is a fantastic trend that needs to grow fast, but it
needs to be followed up by concrete action and legislation. Nationwide
(and worldwide – particularly in Latin American countries that have
suffered from US-backed coups), Indigenous people suffer from economic
inequality, health problems, and human rights abuses. It’s time we
celebrate their culture and tradition rather than their oppressors’, and
it’s time we give back to those we’ve taken so much from.

These 8 Cities Just Abolished Columbus Day