New Mexico Will Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day Instead Of Columbus Day From Now On
Source: Bustle
By SARAH FRIEDMANN
39 min ago
On Tuesday, New Mexico officially eliminated Columbus Day as a statewide holiday, replacing it with one that honors Native Americans' heritage instead. New Mexico will celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day from now on, making it the fifth state in the country to rename the October holiday.
According to the Navajo Post, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 100 on Tuesday, which officially established Indigenous Peoples' Day as a holiday in the state. The bill was previously approved by the state's house and senate, the El Paso Times noted.
Native American leaders praised Grisham and other lawmakers for their support for the bill on Tuesday evening — and stressed that observing Indigenous Peoples' Day will allow New Mexico to honor the heritage of Native Americans, the Navajo Post reported. As Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez told the publication:
The federal government declared Columbus Day as a holiday without input from Native Americans and without knowing the true history of Native Americans. For many years, Indigenous people have protested Columbus Day because it celebrates colonialism, oppression, and injustice inflicted on Indigenous peoples ... Observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day allows citizens to recognize our rich heritage and represents a step toward healing and growth.
Read more: https://www.bustle.com/p/new-mexico-will-celebrate-indigenous-peoples-day-instead-of-columbus-day-from-now-on-17006746
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