Plattsburgh Central Abandons Columbus Day for Indigenous Day

The Plattsburgh Central School District is now recognizing Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples Day.

The Board of Education voted 5-2 in favor at the end of February, according to district Superintendent Jake Short.

“The board members were persuaded by the depth of the students presentations and to some extent their own feelings about honoring Native Americans over Columbus,” Short said.

There is a nationwide movement to stop honoring Columbus each October and instead recognize Native Americans. Vincent Schilling, a journalist and member of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe published a story in Indian Country Today Media Network in 2013 debunking many Columbus myths. His research showed what many Indian communities have known for centuries, but many history books ignore - that Columbus and his men were responsible for atrocities such as genocide, mass rape, enslaving Native peoples in exchange for gold and even using Indian bodies as dog food. The full story is at http://bit.ly/1jEpAph.

“In my opinion the students learned many valuable lessons from conducting balanced authentic research, the complexities of atrocities that have happened in our history, and above all else a profound respect for all people regardless of race, creed or religion – or any other marker of differences,” according to Short.

Prior to the vote, teachers and students heard from several members of the Akwesasne community, including Arnold Printup, Chief Ron LaFrance, Rasennes Pembleton and his 11-year-old son Rakwirahes Pembleton.

Sixth-grade teachers Nancy Strack and Debbie Favro hosted the speakers.

The school board had asked their student team, the Sixth Grade Voyagers, to seek consent from a local Native community before they would vote. The Akwesasne representatives ultimately did that after their Feb. 2 visit to the district, Strack said.

She said the day was “a big event,” which the superintendent, students, parents, administrators and Board of Education members in attendance.

“The Chiefs presented a short history of Mohawks in New York, explained the significance of lacrosse in the native community. Rakwirahes gave a ‘prayer’ of acknowledgement in Mohawk and then answered questions from our students about the Mohawk School and his life at St. Regis,” Strack said. “He wore traditional clothing, and our students were captivated by his peaceful demeanor and poise when answering questions. They were also delighted to see that he was similar to them in many ways. Rakwirahes was definitely the highlight of the afternoon. Our students presented him with a Stafford Middle school t-shirt and other school souvenirs.”

She said Assistant United States Attorney Betsy Horsman, who is a liaison to the tribe, also assisted in putting the day together.

“We are so proud of our students for their perseverance. On Feb. 25, four months and untold hours of work after our initial presentation, our school board approved the name change to cheers and high fives!” Strack said. “We haven’t planned any activities for Indigenous People’s Day as yet, but I’m sure we’ll celebrate it in style next October.”