Student group rejects Columbus Day

The Intertribal Native Council, a student organization sponsored by the Cultural Center, will hold events celebrating Indigenous People’s Day to reject the observation of Columbus Day.

“Indigenous Persons’ Day actively rejects the celebration of Columbus day and his legacy of colonization, domination and all associated negations to Indigenous people,” INC Vice President Tai Simpson said.

Since 1971, the federal government has recognized the second Monday of October as Columbus Day.

The Indigenous People’s Day holiday discards the discovery of America by Columbus as a historical point of celebration.

 “[Columbus’] long standing history as a hero is inscrutable and the purpose of our event is to share with the campus community that this ominous history is not something we wish to celebrate as heroic,” Simpson said.

The INC events include street theater pieces that highlight INC’s views of traditional Columbus Day celebrations.

Communication major Angela Rockefeller said she finds value in celebrating Indigenous People’s Day on campus.

“I would love to see more events like this around campus that give an accurate interpretation of our history,” Rockefeller said.
In addition to events on the Quad, INC, along with the student organization Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlan, will host guest speaker Bobby Gonzales at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Bulding.

Gonzalez, a member of the Taino tribe, will give a talk about the Indigenous People’s Day events.

“The INC partnered with Mr. Gonzales to bring our revisionist, progressive history of the Columbus encounter from 1492,” Simpson said.

LINDSEY RHODES-PURDY
Arbiter Journalist

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