Indigenous People's Day Act Reintroduced in Congress

The bicameral Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act, which would make the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples’ Day and supplant Columbus Day as a federal holiday, has been reintroduced in Congress.

Reps. Sharice Davids (KS-03), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and Suzan DelBene (WA-01), as well as Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), reintroduced the bill.

In the House of Representatives, the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act has attracted 56 supporters. They include: Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) are among the senators who have cosponsored the bill in the Senate.

“Our country has long failed to recognize and acknowledge its dark history of erasure and harm brought upon the first inhabitants of the Americas,” Norma Torres (CA-35) said. “The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act celebrates the 600+ tribes that inhabited the Americas for hundreds of years before the arrival of Western explorers. By designating Indigenous Peoples’ Day a federal holiday, we take a small but important step toward recognizing the injustices in our nation’s history and uplifting the vibrant traditions, history, and culture of all Indigenous communities – an integral part of the cultural fabric of the United States.”

Rep. Davids (Ho-Chunk), one of the first Native women to be elected to Congress in 2018, expressed her honor by joining her colleagues in urging the commemoration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

“Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an opportunity to commemorate Indigenous peoples’ vibrant cultures and significant contributions to our nation — from before we became a union to today — and a day to acknowledge the persecution and discrimination that Native peoples have faced for centuries.” Davids said.

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) has given its support to the proposed law.

“Long before Christopher Columbus stumbled upon this continent, many nations of Native people sustained thriving societies across this country,” NCAI Executive Director Larry Wright, Jr. (Ponca) said. “NCAI applauds Senator Heinrich, Senator Luján, and Representative Torres for re-introducing legislation designed to officially recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day and create space dedicated to acknowledging the rich histories, vibrant cultures, and resilience of contemporary tribal nations and their citizenry, and NCAI urges Congress to pass this bill and sign it into law as expeditiously as possible.”

The Act is also supported by the Cherokee Nation and the Navajo Nation, the two largest tribal nations in the nation.

“Cherokee Nation supports legislation replacing ‘Columbus Day’ with ‘Indigenous Peoples’ Day’ and applauds Congresswoman Torres and Senators Heinrich and Lujan for their continued leadership on this issue. It is past time for the United States to recognize the integral role Native people play in the history, economy, and future of our country. The second Monday of October will be a day for people across the United States to celebrate and honor the significant contributions of Native tribes as well as the beautiful culture of our Native people,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr.

“Recognizing and celebrating the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of indigenous peoples is an essential step towards promoting understanding, equality, and respect. By replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we acknowledge the resilience, wisdom, and enduring presence of indigenous communities, fostering unity and honoring the diverse tapestry of our nation’s heritage. My thanks go out to Senator Heinrich and Congresswoman Torres for the introduction of the Indigenous Peoples Day Act in their respective houses,” said Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren.

Since 2019, Rep. Torres has been advocating for the acknowledgment of Indigenous Peoples’ Day through legislation. In 2021, she put forward the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act to officially designate it as a federal holiday.