Nevada Appeal, October 4, 2019

The city of Reno has become the newest municipality to make the move from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.

During its regular meeting Oct. 2, Reno City Council unanimously approved the establishment of Indigenous Peoples Day. It will be recognized the second Monday in October every year, in place of Columbus Day.

According to a news release from the city, council took the recommendation from the Human Rights Committee “as a way to recognize, respect and honor the importance of the First Nations and Indigenous People.”

According to the city, the Oct. 2 vote came in response to a group of residents involved with the American Indian Movement of Northern Nevada (AIM) initially speaking during public comment at the Aug. 4 council meeting.

For decades, Native American activists have advocated for abolishing Columbus Day (this year, it will be observed Oct. 14), which became a federal holiday in 1934.

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