Indigenous Peoples’ Day Resolution Revised Last Minute

Today, City Council will be weighing a resolution proposing the city officially celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day every year on the second Monday in October. If the resolution passes, Austin will join the cities of Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Nashville who also passed similar resolutions this month. The movement to replace Columbus Day, a federal holiday, with Indigenous Peoples’ Day gained traction back in 1992 when the city of Berkeley, California declared the holidays switched after being pressured by local activists. Last year, the City of Austin issued a proclamation acknowledging Indigenous Peoples’ Day, but this year’s resolution, if passed, will enact a stronger commitment, requesting local businesses and schools to recognize it and expressing support the local Indigenous community. However, District 1 Council Member Ora Houston, the sponsor of the resolution, posted on the City Council Message Board yesterday that she would be making a few revisions to the draft, in effect making it so that the resolution recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ Holiday in addition to Columbus Day as opposed to replacing it.