Oberlin became the first Ohio city to replace the federal holiday of Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
“The group spent hours researching the history of Christopher Columbus, the original people who stood on the land currently occupied by the city of Oberlin, the growing push nationwide to abolish Columbus Day, and the modern native crises,” explains the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee of Oberlin, whose official motto is “Truth Rises.”
That was in 2017 and today more than 200 cities and half of the states have renamed or replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. While Columbus Day remains a federal holiday, U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a proclamation since taking office of also recognizing the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
“For generations, it was the shameful policy of our Nation to remove Indigenous peoples from their homelands; force them to assimilate; and ban them from speaking their own languages, passing down ancient traditions, and performing sacred ceremonies. Countless lives were lost, precious lands were taken, and their way of life was forever changed,” the president said in issuing last year’s proclamation.
Addressing the myriad of issues surrounding the mistreatment of Indigenous peoples has gained traction at Kendal and in January residents decided to form the Indigenous Peoples Interest Group.
The group’s mission is “to educate our community about the original inhabitants of this land and to learn how we can be responsive to indigenous peoples in the area today.”
“The group consists of such a broad spectrum of residents. Just as Kendal has a lot of former Peace Corps volunteers, we also have a lot of residents aware of the far-less-than-ideal conditions experienced by Indigenous peoples,” says member Carol Conti-Entin. The group’s convenor is Dianne Haley.
This interest group activities are on full display this month and include:
Future events include adding Indigenous elements to Kendal’s annual winter solstice program and a lifelong learning course in January, “Music for Indigenous Survival,” taught by Oberlin College Professor Jennifer Fraser.
For several years resident Phyllis Gorfain has been researching the issue of Land Acknowledgement Statements, a topic the interest group will explore at an upcoming meeting.
“It’s time this nation recognizes we have a group of people who were treated just as badly as African Americans – differently but just as badly,” Carol says.
Oberlin’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration will be held Saturday, Oct. 12, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oberlin Enrichment & Activity Center, 36 S. Prospect St. The program will include storytelling, music and art.
On Oct. 14 the Indigenous Peoples’ Committee of Oberlin will hold a vigil from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in Tappan Square.
And next month, on Nov. 3, Cleveland Metroparks will celebrate “First People Day” at the Rocky River Nature Center.
“Delve into the unique history of northeast Ohio Native cultures. The day will be filled with demonstrations, talks, hikes, and more, led by Cleveland Metroparks staff, local scholars, and members of the Lake Erie Native American Council,” according to the Metroparks.
The 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. event is free, but tickets for the Native Dance Performances at 12 p.m. and 2:30 are $3.