Judi gaiashkibos, director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs, said Tuesday that it would be appropriate if the Legislature passed the bill during Nebraska’s 150th year of statehood.

“I think this is a good time to celebrate the first people during the sesquicentennial and honor them in this way,” she said.

Pansing Brooks pointed out that South Dakota replaced Columbus Day with Native American Day in 1989, while Hawaii calls it Discovery Day. Last year, Lincoln changed the holiday to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a name adopted by some other cities.

Since it was declared a federal holiday in 1937, Columbus Day has honored the exploits of the 15th Century explorer who came across the Americas in a quest to find a westward passage to Asia. Italian-Americans say he embodies courage and tenacity.

Terry Bolamperti, president of the American Italian Heritage Society of Omaha, said he appreciates the significance of Standing Bear’s story. But he doesn’t think Nebraska needs to honor one man at the expense of the other.

“I have nothing but praise for Standing Bear,” he said. “But Columbus did a lot of great things. He took a chance. He started the New World.”