According to a recent press release, the Los Angeles City Council will discuss and vote on establishing Indigenous Peoples Day, joining the growing movement across the nation to declare the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day in the City of Los Angeles, Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell announced today.

O’Farrell is encouraging Angelenos to attend the regular City Council meeting being held on Wednesday, August 30, 10:00 AM, at Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N Spring Street, room 340, Los Angeles, 90012.

Media and advisory contacts are: Tony Arranaga/O’Farrell at 213-258-9533 and Chrissie Castro of the LA City-County Native American Commission 323-420-6844.

Councilmember O’Farrell, a member of the Wyandotte Nation, introduced a motion in November 2015 instructing the Human Relations Commission, with the assistance of the Los Angeles City and County Native American Commission, to report back on the historical importance and cultural impact of establishing Indigenous Peoples Day.

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“Recognizing the contributions, history, and sacrifices made by the original inhabitants of the Los Angeles area is long overdue,” said Councilmember O’Farrell. “Declaring Indigenous Peoples Day in Los Angeles will send a strong message to the rest of the nation that we are not ignorant of history, nor afraid to confront its brutal past and embrace a future free from the stain of a psychologically harmful false mythology of our origins. I ask for your support, and to join in the movement here in Los Angeles”

“Acknowledging Indigenous Peoples Day will start to correct our history, and help us move toward healing,” said Rudy Ortega, chair of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians.

“Replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples is an important step towards historical truth and cultural reconciliation in this country.”

See Related Article: 8 Myths and Atrocities About Christopher Columbus and Columbus Day

“Now is the time for Los Angeles to be courageous, and stand on the right side of history by celebrating the beauty and contributions of this city and nation’s first peoples, and reject the honoring of the violent, genocidal man that is Columbus,” said Chrissie Castro, Vice Chair of the Los Angeles City-Council Native American Commission.

“The City of Los Angeles, home to the largest urban indigenous communities in the United States, has not only the opportunity, but the responsibility, to stand on the right side of history,” said Angelica Salas, Executive Director of Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights.

“To adopt Indigenous Peoples Day is a step towards healing and reconciliation in Los Angeles that is so critically needed.”

There is a movement across the country to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.

Cities that have adopted resolutions to declare the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day include Berkeley, Denver, Seattle, Anchorage, Portland (OR), Albuquerque, Minneapolis, and Santa Cruz, in addition to five states nationwide.

WHEN:
Wednesday, August 30
10:00 AM

WHERE
Los Angeles City Hall
John Ferraro Council Chamber, room 340
200 N Spring Street
Los Angeles, 90012

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Gyasi Ross, Editor at Large

Blackfeet Nation/Suquamish Territories

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