Lansing Discussing Changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day
Senator Jeff Irwin has proposed new legislation in Lansing that would change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day in Michigan, according to WXYZ.
As WXYZ reports, if Senate Bill 568 is passed, it would make Michigan the 8th state to reclaim the holiday for indigenous and tribal communities.
As Senator Irwin said in a statement on WXYZ,
“Michigan, at the heart of the Great Lakes basin, has a rich and long history, extending long before Europeans first arrived. It is only fitting that we more prominently recognize and celebrate the rich and vibrant, tribal tradition of the indigenous people of Michigan, and of this continent.”
This isn't a new thing either, the push to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day goes all the way back to 1977 when it was first introduced, but didn't really see any communities take an active role in changing the holiday until 1992, WXYZ says.
A few communities in Michigan have already adopted the holiday change locally including Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti back in 2016. Now Detroit, East Lansing, Alpena, Southfield, Ferndale, and Traverse City have moved to change the name of the holiday, and Senator Irwin told WXYZ in his statement that he "applauds their courage".
Quite a few cities around the country are making the change as well, including Seattle, L.A.
Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Vermont, are the other states that have already changed Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day.