AKRON, Ohio - Akron City Council, in a unanimous decision on Monday, voted to recognize the first Monday in October as North American First People's Day.

Seventh- and 8th-grade students and faculty from the Lippman School, along with representatives of the Northern Cheyenne Nation in Montana and the Seneca Nation in New York teamed up to create the resolution, which aims to honor the history, culture and contributions of Native Americans as well as preserve Akron's own connection to Native American history.

"From what we understand, Akron is the first city in the United States to designate a unique day to recognize native people rather than renaming Columbus Day to Indigenous People's Day," said Lippman Head of School Sam Chestnut in a news release. "This is an exciting time for our students, staff and the Northern Cheyenne Nation, and I am proud of what we've been able to accomplish together."

Tribal elder Otto Braided Hair and student Bryan Fisher from the Northern Cheyenne Nation attended the students' presentation to City Council.

The Lippman School, along with the Northern Cheyenne Nation, the Summit County Historical Society and other local schools will commemorate North American First People's Day with the Marking the Trail of the Portage Path walk.

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