County proclaims Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Montgomery County celebrated its first Indigenous People’s Day on October 12 this year, a holiday that was previously known as Columbus Day. “Observing Indigenous Peoples Day recognizes the original occupants of these lands, their cultures and the sacrifices they were forced to make,” County Executive Marc Elrich said upon its proclamation.

Columbus Day, named after the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, became a federal holiday in 1971 to honor the discovery of America. However, the celebration of this day has sparked debates as protesters have raised critical questions against elevating Columbus as an intrepid leader who some say is a symbol of racism and a history of cruelty.

Native American advocates have long protested the celebration of this day that marked the beginnings of slavery, brutalization, and genocide of Native tribes, atrocities that lasted for centuries. Today, 6.7 million Native Americans remain in the United States, composing 2.4 percent of the total population. Many people, including RM students, recognize the need for proper appreciation and recognition of these groups through dedicating a day in remembrance of their sacrifices.

“It is the need to give their own voices, even if it’s only for a day, and we as a people can do so much to amplify what they have to say,” junior Daniella Mehlek-Daweed said.

“The holiday is really important in terms of respecting history and giving due recognition to people and groups that are deserving of it,” junior Katie Yuan said.

While the renaming of Columbus Day is a significant first step towards recognizing Indigenous peoples and respecting their history and culture, the general student consensus is that more actions must follow to solidify public awareness and protect the voices of Indigenous groups.

“It’s really sad that it’s taken this long for Indigenous folks to be recognized as people, and there is still so much more to be done for their basic human rights nationally and locally, but this is definitely a step in the right direction for recognition in the country,” Mehlek-Daweed said.