US states split over celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day or Columbus Day

An increasing number of cities will observe Indigenous Peoples' Day in place of Columbus Day on Monday, though some Native advocates argue the gesture remains largely symbolic and does not address the deeper issues facing their communities.

Why it is important 

The holiday carries a complex history. Indigenous Peoples' Day is viewed by many as a long-overdue recognition of Native communities, while others feel that replacing Columbus Day disrespects Italian American heritage and diminishes a celebration of cultural identity.

For decades, America has honoured Christopher Columbus and his 1492 voyage. However, his legacy has come under scrutiny in recent years due to the violence and displacement inflicted upon Native American communities in its aftermath.

Background

Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937 after President Franklin D. Roosevelt, under pressure from the Knights of Columbus, sought to recognise Columbus and celebrate Italian American heritage.

In 2021, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation for Indigenous Peoples' Day, acknowledging the contributions of Native Americans. This was the culmination of over 30 years of advocacy for such recognition.

The current divide

More than half of US states still do not officially recognise either Indigenous Peoples' Day or Columbus Day. This reflects deeper divisions surrounding the nation's identity and historical narratives. Many states have issued proclamations instead, a compromise that often leaves both Indigenous advocates and Columbus supporters dissatisfied.

The context

For years, Native scholars and legal experts have challenged the romanticised narrative of westward expansion in the US, pointing out that it often ignores the violence and displacement of Indigenous communities.

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, a historian and author, asserts that framing 1492 as the start of America’s colonial system obscures the reality of genocide, settler colonialism, white supremacy, and exclusion. She argues that holidays like Indigenous Peoples' Day should reflect these historical truths.

Historical background

In the summer of 2020, during nationwide Black Lives Matter protests, at least 33 statues of Columbus were torn down, alongside numerous Confederate monuments, as part of a broader reassessment of symbols associated with colonisation, racism, and oppression.

What they’re saying

Gabriel Galanda, an Indigenous rights attorney and a member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes, believes that Indigenous Peoples' Day is merely a symbolic gesture.

"It gives Americans a brief opportunity to reflect on our existence, but it doesn't address the legal and civil rights issues plaguing our communities," he said.

Galanda criticised the observance of the holiday, along with land acknowledgements and proclamations that recognise Indigenous people as the original inhabitants of American land, but fail to address the systemic challenges they continue to face.

His concerns are tied to the centenary of the Indian Citizenship Act, which granted Native Americans citizenship in 1924. However, he emphasised that this was not a constitutional guarantee, and many issues from that era persist today.

Galanda also highlighted his 12-year fight against disenrollment and housing evictions within Indigenous communities, stating that the practice has stripped over 10,000 Native people of their tribal status, cutting them off from their homelands and safety nets.

"Without recourse or protections, many of those evicted end up displaced and vulnerable to violence or trafficking," he added.

Political response

Galanda argued that neither major political party has fully addressed the core issues. While he acknowledged President Biden’s steps towards supporting Native communities, such as policies on tribal sovereignty and infrastructure investment, he expressed scepticism about the broader political will to enact significant change.

Jaidan Idarraga, a spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign, noted that the vice president's team has "the largest ever national Tribal organising programme, with Tribal organisers in each of our key states who are communicating the stakes of this election directly with Tribal communities." Meanwhile, the Trump campaign did not provide details on how it plans to support Native Americans.

The bottom line

Galanda expressed his hope, despite his cynicism, that meaningful change could still occur. However, he cautioned that without extending civil rights protections to Indigenous people, holiday observances and proclamations would remain insufficient.

"My hope, despite my cynicism, is that these dynamics can turn the other way... but every day I see more citizens and less hope given the forces at play," he said.