Biden becomes first president to issue proclamation marking Indigenous Peoples Day

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“The contributions that Indigenous peoples have made throughout history – in public service, entrepreneurship, scholarship, the arts and countless other fields – are integral to our nation, our culture and our company, ”Biden wrote in the proclamation Friday. “Today, we recognize the significant sacrifices made by Indigenous peoples to this country – and recognize their many continuing contributions to our nation.”

Biden also marked a change of course from previous administrations in his Columbus Day proclamation, which honors explorer Christopher Columbus. In this proclamation, the President acknowledged the death and destruction inflicted on Indigenous communities after Columbus’ trip to North America in the late 1500s, ushering in an era of European exploration of the Western Hemisphere.

“Today we also recognize the painful history of the wrongs and atrocities that many European explorers inflicted on tribal nations and indigenous communities. It is a measure of our greatness as a nation that we do not seek to bury these shameful episodes from our past – that we face them honestly, we bring them to light and we do all we can to address them, ”Biden wrote.

Over 100 cities – including Seattle, Los Angeles, Denver, Phoenix, San Francisco – and a number of states – including Minnesota, Alaska, Vermont, and Oregon – have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples ‘Day, choosing instead to recognize the indigenous populations who were displaced and decimated after Columbus and other European explorers reached the continent. Berkeley, California was the first city to adopt Indigenous Peoples Day, in 1992.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Friday’s announcement did not imply the end of Columbus Day as a federal holiday.

“Well, today is both Columbus Day, from now on… as well as Indigenous Peoples Day,” Psaki said. “I’m not aware of any discussion of the end of this either, the end of the previous federal vacation at this point, but I do know that recognizing today as Indigenous Peoples Day is something the President felt personally. personally he is happy to be the first president to celebrate and make this history moving forward. “

As a candidate, Biden recognized Indigenous Peoples Day, drawing the ire of former President Donald Trump.

“He wants to change the name from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” Trump told his Michigan supporters at a campaign rally last October. “So he wants to change it for Indigenous Peoples Day. Um, not while I’m president.”

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