Several dozen Native Americans and their supporters gave City Council a standing ovation after it moved and seconded a resolution to establish the first week of October, retroactively, as Indigenous Peoples Week in Lancaster.

Arguably, the cheering was just slightly premature.

“They haven't voted yet, folks,” Mayor Rick Gray reminded the crowd.

Council then voted unanimously to make it official, earning another round of applause and enthusiastic handshakes from the resolution's backers.

Randolph Hernandez, a Lancaster resident and police officer for the York City School District, led the effort to put the measure on City Council's agenda.

The intent is to educate the broader community about the culture, history and contributions of America's indigenous peoples, and to afford them “a dignity and respect that's long overdue,” he said.

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Rafael Torres, representing the Taino Cultural Center, said: “We're here to honor our ancestors.” He and other advocates spoke movingly about promoting awareness of indigenous peoples' heritage.

“We are here. We want a voice,” said Carolyn Rittenhouse, a co-founder of Advocates for Native Nations. “We want to teach you. We want to be a part of the community.”

There has been a push throughout the country to replace Columbus Day with an Indigenous Peoples' Day. Advocates argue Columbus doesn't deserve celebration: His expeditions raped, killed and enslaved the native people they encountered, while to say he “discovered” a land where people had lived for many generations is misleading.

Hernandez, though, stressed that Indigenous Peoples Week “is not an indictment of anyone,” but rather a celebration of native cultures.

Lancaster city government does not formally recognize Columbus Day as a holiday, and remained open as usual on Monday, City Council President John Graupera noted.