Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds proclaims Monday as Indigenous Peoples Day
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is proclaiming Monday as the state's inaugural Indigenous Peoples Day — a trend that's growing nationwide in acknowledgement of Native Americans, according to a press release from the Iowa Department of Human Rights.
Typically, the second Monday of October has celebrated Columbus Day. However, critics say Columbus Day holiday honors the mass genocide and colonization of Native Americans, who lived in the Americas long before Christopher Columbus arrived in October 1492, while Italian-American organizations say the movement comes at the expense of a time to celebrate their ethnic heritage.
Reynolds will sign the proclamation for Indigenous Peoples Day at 3:35 p.m. at the Capitol.
"This day recognizes the land now known as the State of Iowa, named in recognition of the Iowa Tribe, as well as the language used to identify many of our lakes, rivers, cities, counties, schools, buildings and considerably more, and reflects the inherent imprint of Indigenous Peoples," the release said. "This land has been home to Indigenous People since time immemorial, and without whom, the building of this state would not have been possible."