City Of Duluth To Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day

The former Columbus Day has taken on new meaning and now becomes a celebration of Indigenous Peoples for the City of Duluth.

According to a press release from the city, October 14th at noon on the steps of City Hall Mayor Larson will welcome some special guests. Hand drummers will be on hand at noon. Mayor Larson will speak and have guest speakers Babette and Skip Sandman, Shawn Carr, and Nick Smith. When the event is over the group will travel to the newly named Gichi-ode’ Akiing where a round dance will take place.

According to holidayscalender.com the idea of changing Columbus Day and calling it Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first proposed in 1977, at an International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in Geneva, Switzerland and sponsored by the United Nations.

Berkeley, California was the first to adopt the idea and make it a day to honor on October 12th. It was originally called "Day of Solidarity with Indigenous People".