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Los Angeles is the latest city to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day. Salt Lake City will celebrate both in tandem. They join dozens of other locations in recent years that are putting a day on the calendar for Indigenous people. Following pressure from Native American groups, cities and states are also realizing the drawbacks of officially recognizing Christopher Columbus. There is some pushback, including from Italian Americans, who hold up Columbus’ achievements as something that boosts their culture. What does swapping out Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples’ Day achieve?
Guests:
Moroni Benally (Diné) – co-founder of the Utah League of Native American Voters
David Bender (Standing Rock Sioux/Bad River Chippewa) – community organizer at the American Indian Center in Chicago
Becky Tallent (Cherokee of Oklahoma) – vice chair of the Moscow Human Rights Commission, associate professor of journalism at the University of Idaho
Break Music: Sun Child (song) The Jir Project Band (artist) Sun Child (album)
Do not put Native American Day on October 9th.