Following the lead of large cities across the nation, Long Beach leaders voted to start observing Indigenous People’s Day on the second Monday in October, a federal holiday that is traditionally observed as Columbus Day.

A recommendation for the change came from the city’s Human Relations Commission, a body of appointed community members that is tasked with recommending policies and programs to promote goodwill and better relations among all people, according to the city website.

“By observing Indigenous People’s Day, an appropriate focus is placed on historical events related to the genocide, struggles and contributions of Native Americans,” Commissioner Amy Eriksen said to the council before Tuesday’s vote.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Eriksen briefly recounted a presentation given to the commission by local Native American leaders who shared that the traditional approach to tribal decision making is one that focuses on transparency and consensus building; values, she said, that are important for a city that strives for inclusivity.

Councilwoman Jeannine Pearce, who introduced the item with council members Suzie Price and Daryl Supernaw, called it a “long-coming” decision.

“It’s a little too late, but today is the day that we get to celebrate our indigenous people that live in Long Beach, that make Long Beach great, and that make the United States great,” she began, before addressing those in the audience who came to support the change. “I believe that you guys help bridge cultural divides and it’s really important that we have a space to celebrate your contributions.”

The council voted unanimously to direct the city attorney to draft a resolution in support of the change that the council may adopt next Tuesday. Long Beach will begin officially honoring the holiday in October 2018.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors also voted on Tuesday to eliminate all references to Columbus Day as a county holiday, designating Oct. 12 as Italian American Heritage Day and creating a new Indigenous People’s Day. The county will begin honoring the holiday no later than October 2019.

Many who spoke before the board were emotional, recalling a history of genocide. Others said honoring Columbus served to distort what their children learn in school. Supervisor Hilda Solis, who co-authored the county motion with Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, said the change would not mean forgetting what Columbus had done, but would lead to a fuller understanding.

“This is not about erasing history,” Solis said. “I believe the full history and impact of Christopher Columbus should be taught to current and future generations. While we cannot change the past, we can realize the pain that millions suffered throughout our nation’s history, as well as the tremendous achievements of the original inhabitants of our continent.”

Columbus, long celebrated for his discovery of America, never actually set foot on North American soil. He landed instead in the Caribbean, where he was said to have committed atrocities against the native island people he found there.

Solis said the motion amounted to restorative justice. She pointed to the contributions of Native Americans to agriculture, medicine, music, language and art, while also noting that they suffer some of the highest percentages of depression, incarceration and infant mortality and have a lower life expectancy than other Americans.

The Los Angeles City Council voted in August to remove Columbus Day from city calendars. Several states no longer recognize Columbus Day.

City News Service contributed to this report.