State holiday honoring Native Americans proposed

Indigenous Peoples’ Day would replace the state holiday of Columbus Day under a bill considered Feb. 19 by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

LB848, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks, would designate the day to “recognize the historic, cultural, and contemporary significance” of Native Americans in Nebraska. The holiday would remain on the second Monday in October.

South Dakota already has replaced Columbus Day with a holiday honoring indigenous people, she said, and a majority of states do not recognize Columbus Day.

“Columbus did not set foot in Nebraska,” Pansing Brooks said. “He did not set foot in North America.”

Larry Wright Jr., chairperson of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, testified in support of LB848. He said Columbus is unworthy of a holiday and that changing the name is long overdue.

“For so many years, others told our stories,” Wright said. “The reality of Columbus’ action upon indigenous people he encountered is well documented; rape, abuse, enslavement, murder and theft are not things to be honored.”

Also speaking in support was Judi gaiashkibos, executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs. She said indigenous people were the original cornhuskers.

“Nebraska’s indigenous people have inhabited this state for millennia,” she said. “We are not, however, just historic artifacts or ghosts from the past. We are still here.”

Historian Margaret Jacobs also testified in support of the bill. She read excerpts from Columbus’ journal in which he wrote that indigenous people were “simple” and that they would make good servants. Jacobs said changing the holiday’s name is not disrespectful to Italian Americans, many of whom celebrate the man who was born in a city that only later became part of Italy.

“If they were to learn the true history of Columbus, it’s nothing they would be proud of,” Jacobs said. “I don’t believe we should be celebrating this person.”

Gio Portera testified against LB848. He said Columbus’ accomplishments should be celebrated and that many of the accusations against him are untrue.

“The reputation of Columbus has suffered at the hands of special interest groups who use this 15th century renaissance navigator to further their 21st century political and social agenda,” Portera said.

Sam Troia also spoke against the bill. He said he supported a national holiday for indigenous people, but not as a replacement for Columbus Day.

The committee took no immediate action on LB848.