GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss signed a proclamation to recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples' Day within the city.
This year's celebration falls on Monday, Oct. 12.
The designation was made to celebrate, recognize and honor the "values that Anishinaabek People of the Three Fires brought to Grand Rapids including, but not limited to: technology, thought, and culture of these indigenous peoples," the city says.
The day also honors the contributions made by indigenous people.
"The Indigenous Peoples' Day proclamation was really a group effort that was driven by the Native community through a process where we have been having lots of conversations with the city of grand rapids community relations commission," the VP of Arts and Sciences at Grand Rapids Art Museum, Dr. Stephanie Ongren said. " And from conversations with Grand River Band to Nottawaseppi Huron Band we really thought about how best to commemorate Indigenous Peoples' Day."
The proclamation was written in the words of the collective tribes. The museum along with the city just hosted the meetings according to Dr. Ongren.
Grand Rapids has been able to commemorate some of its native roots through the murals, statues and native names of locations around the city.
Bliss said this proclamation, “brings forward the intentional acknowledgement and recognition of the original people of this place that we call Grand Rapids."
The second Monday in October has traditionally been recognized as Columbus Day, but that practice has been criticized, with some saying the federal holiday celebrates Christopher Columbus' actions, which include the enslavement of Native Americans. Many cities are now opting to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day instead.
A bill was introduced in Michigan last year to designate the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples' Day statewide. Last year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed the second Monday as Indigenous Peoples' Day.
The city of Grand Rapids' proclamation says it does not recognize Columbus Day anymore, but will recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day. It encourages residents to "reflect upon the ongoing struggles of Indigenous People on this land, and to celebrate the thriving culture and value that Indigenous Peoples add to communities throughout and beyond the Grand Rapids region."
There are 14 states across the country that have decided to celebrate Indigenous people day instead of Christopher Columbus day.
Federally, President Donald J. Trump put out his own proclamation on Oct. 9, stating that 'he hereby proclaims October 12,2020 , as Columbus Day' and he calls upon United States citizens to observe it appropriately.
All three proclamations are listed here
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