Fifty Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian groups dressed in traditional regalia take part in the Grand Entrance Processional down Willoughby Street from Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall to Centennial Hall to kickoff the four days of Celebration in June 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Fifty Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian groups dressed in traditional regalia take part in the Grand Entrance Processional down Willoughby Street from Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall to Centennial Hall to kickoff the four days of Celebration in June 2016. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Lawmakers ask Christopher Columbus to share calendar

Christopher Columbus didn’t meet an empty continent.

The state of Alaska will now recognize that fact.

On Sunday, the Alaska Senate voted 18-1 to approve House Bill 78 and label the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. That day is also known as Columbus Day.

“We want it to be an inclusive day,” said Rep. Dean Westlake, R-Kotzebue and the sponsor of HB 78.

“Whether my friends are Vikings or African-Americans, we’re all in this,” he added.

In Alaska, Columbus Day is a federal holiday — as it is in the rest of the United States — but it has never been formally recognized as a holiday by the state of Alaska. While your mail won’t get delivered on Columbus Day, state and municipal employees still go to work.

HB 78 doesn’t change that, and it doesn’t replace Columbus Day either. Both holidays will exist side-by-side on the same date.

“It made my day,” said Rosita Worl, director of the Sealaska Heritage Institute and a supporter of the bill.

“Some people might think it’s just a symbolic thing, but to me, I think we’re going in the right direction,” she said, explaining that it is a recognition of diversity.

“I am grateful to the Legislature for doing this, and of course to the governor for starting the movement,” she said.

The success of Indigenous Peoples’ Day this year follows repeated failed attempts in previous legislative sessions. Westlake recalls five other tries, and there may be more, according to legislative records. Last year, one such attempt passed the House but failed to pass the Senate.

In the meantime, six states and 42 major American cities have adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a supplement or replacement for Columbus Day.

Gov. Bill Walker has proclaimed Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Columbus Day for the past two years. HB 78 regularizes that declaration and makes it automatic.

The move was supported by Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, the Alaska Federation of Natives, Sealaska Heritage Institute and Doyon Ltd., among others.

The reason for the push is straightforward: Columbus Day is seen as recognizing only the white, European side of the first-contact story. Adding Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognizes that there were more points of view in 1492.

When the House passed HB 78 in February, Westlake said (to laughter from fellow legislators) that it places the holiday “on the same day that indigenous people discovered Christopher Columbus.”

Not everyone agrees with the idea of a shared holiday.

On Sunday, Senate President Pete Kelly was the lone “no” vote on the bill. He said having the holiday on Columbus Day “kind of makes it a little bit political.”

In the House, where seven lawmakers voted “no,” that view was more widespread.

It remains a minority view, however, and HB 78 is headed to Walker’s desk for his signature.

“My hope is by having this day of recognition, it will help people come together, in unification and celebration, and in appreciation of our multicultural state,” said Sen. Donny Olson, D-Golovin and the bill’s Senate sponsor, by email.

As Westlake added, “Whether you’re a fourth-generation Alaskan or a 400th generation Alaskan, we want to celebrate this. This is just a date of inclusiveness and celebrating. It’s a great day to be indigenous.”

 


 

Contact reporter James Brooks at james.k.brooks@juneauempire.com or call 419-7732.

 


 

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 10

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Students arrive at Thunder Mountain Middle School on the first day of school Thursday, Aug. 15. The school now houses all students in grades 7-8, who were in two middle schools last year, and the students at Thunder Mountain last year when it was a high school have been consolidated into Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Report: 11 high school fights during first quarter of school year, up from 3 each of past two years

Consolidation seen as possible factor; middle school incidents more typical compared to recent years

People gather outside Resurrection Lutheran Church as it hosts its weekly food pantry on Tuesday afternoon. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Resurrection Lutheran Church leadership dispute intensifies with accusations of assault, theft, sabotage

Pastor removed, lawsuit lingers as competing groups try to continue worship services, food pantry.

Nick Begich, center, the Republican candidate for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat, talks with supporters during a meet-and-greet Oct. 12 at the Southeast Alaska Real Estate office near the Nugget Mall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Updated vote counts show Begich, repeal of ranked choice voting likely to prevail

Most ballots uncounted on Election Day have now been tallied, with final results due Nov. 20.

Letters of support are posted to the window of the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, following a shooting incident on Monday, Nov. 11 at 5:45 a.m. in Homer. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Man arrested for three shooting incidents at reproductive clinic, recovery organization in Homer

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic was targeted twice Monday, suspect cites “religious beliefs.”

A sign welcomes visitors to Hoonah on Aug. 7, 2021 just outside the Icy Strait cruise ship port. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
State commission approves new Xunaa Borough government in northern Southeast Alaska

Area would include Hoonah and much of Glacier Bay National Park, exclude three nearby small towns.

Juneau Assembly Member Ella Adkison (center) helps state Sen. Jesse Kiehl load donated groceries into a van on Saturday during a food drive at Super Bear IGA Supermarket hosted by the Juneau Central Labor Council. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Nonprofits say need is high as collections for annual Thanksgiving events approach

Food bank, other agencies say number of people seeking help is rising due to cost, other factors.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Nov. 10, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy poses with then-President Donald Trump during a refueling stop by Air Force One at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in February of 2019. (Official White House photo)
Update: Dunleavy and Dahlstrom plan, cancel live Tuesday night announcement as Trump post for governor rumored

Dunleavy being considered for Interior secretary; also backs Trump on eliminating Dept. of Education

Most Read