Students rename Columbus Day, march to Capitol

Dozens of students gathered outside an empty Idaho State Capitol Building on Monday to protest the very reason it was vacant – Columbus Day. As state government employees took the day off work, the Intertribal Native Council of Boise State (INC) protested Idaho’s recognition of Columbus Day and encouraged celebration of Indigenous people instead.

“The only way for change is if we voice our expression,” said Patricia Garcia, the vice president of INC. Garcia was one of about 40 people who protested by marching from BSU to the Capitol Building.

While similar movements take place across the nation, INC President Bryan Moore said this was the first INC-organized Columbus Day protest. He feels the rookie event went well, and hopes to continue in this vein until Idaho does not recognize Christopher Columbus.

Yet, Moore said it’s more than just a protest on a Monday afternoon outside a nearly empty building.

“It’s all about education,” Moore said.

Moore said he wants people to understand the true history of Native Americans as well as who they are in today’s culture. A lot of misconceptions exist about this minority group, Moore said.

For instance, Moore said his daughters came home from kindergarten confused about Native Americans. One thought they were a make-believe race, like elves, and the other believed Native Americans were extinct.

“That’s the message they portray in school,” Moore said.

Some false lessons in school may be harmless, such as George Washington chopping down the cherry tree, but this misconception had a greater effect on Moore’s family. Moore had to explain to his young children that they have Native American heritage.

Monday’s protest was a step toward education, awareness and re-examining “facts,” Garcia said.

Nancy Egan, who is part of the Shoshone Paiute tribe on the Duck Valley Reservation, encouraged protestors to be the voice for their Native American ancestors.

“Once it’s started, we can go from there,” she said.

Garcia said she spoke with people on campus who didn’t know why Columbus shouldn’t be celebrated, and she welcomed the opportunity to increase awareness.

“One man said, ‘Isn’t it sad that I get a day off for a man like that?’” Garcia said.

In addition to the march, INC is using other ways to convey its message. Garcia is in contact with an Associated Students of Boise State University senator about proposing a resolution for the Columbus Day protest and Indigenous People’s Day.

Moore said he hopes the movement will grow beyond just a single day of protesting, but will expand to include further education efforts.

“We did the march to the Capitol on Columbus Day for symbolic reasons, but I would like to do it again when the Legislature is there,” Moore said.

They also hope to teach other people in the community the truth about Native American culture and history. A Meridian elementary school teacher invited INC members to teach her class about those topics.

Ideally, Garcia said, a holiday will exist to celebrate Indigenous people.

“I want it to be a day of celebration for the people who have survived,” she said.

Tessa Schweigert / Asst. News Editor

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