{"id":30909,"date":"2023-02-13T09:14:27","date_gmt":"2023-02-13T14:14:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianz.com\/News\/?p=30909"},"modified":"2023-02-13T15:32:52","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T20:32:52","slug":"montana-free-press-bill-for-indigenous-peoples-day-gains-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/News\/2023\/02\/13\/montana-free-press-bill-for-indigenous-peoples-day-gains-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Montana Free Press: Bill for Indigenous People\u2019s Day gains support"},"content":{"rendered":" \"Montana<\/a>
Flags from tribal nations are seen at the Montana State Capitol in Helena. Photo: Eliza Wiley \/ Montana Free Press<\/figcaption>\r\n
Lawmakers make another bid for Indigenous Peoples Day <\/div>\r\n
The proposed state holiday would take the place of Columbus Day.<\/div>\r\n
Monday, February 13, 2023<\/div>\r\n
Montana Free Press<\/DIV>\r\n
montanafreepress.org<\/A><\/DIV>\r\n

<\/p>\r\nMore than 30 people gathered last Wednesday in support of a Senate bill that would establish Indigenous People\u2019s Day as a Montana state holiday.

<\/P>\t\t \r\n\r\nIf the bill passes, Indigenous People\u2019s Day would land on the second Monday of October, eliminating Columbus Day as an official state holiday.

<\/P>\r\n\r\nSenate Bill 141<\/a> appeared for its first time this legislative session before the Education and Cultural Resources Committee during a public hearing Wednesday. The Montana American Indian Caucus wrote a letter of support for the proposal. Montana state law currently recognizes 12 legal holidays each year, including Columbus Day.

<\/P>\r\n\r\nThe committee is expected to vote on the bill at a later date. If it\u2019s approved, the bill is expected to go to the Senate floor for a vote.

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<\/p>\r\nThis is the fifth attempt to establish a statewide Indigenous People\u2019s Day in Montana. Sen. Shane Morigeau, D-Missoula<\/a>, introduced and sponsored the current version of the proposal. Morigeau said the bill would allow for a chance to help correct the harsh history of the state\u2019s relationship with Indigenous people.

<\/P>\r\n\r\nAlthough Columbus has been celebrated for decades as an explorer who discovered America, historical accounts have increasingly revealed a more complex historical narrative. Multiple states and cities across the country have officially replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.

<\/P>\r\n\r\n\u201cInstead of having a day that celebrates a man who murdered, raped, and exterminated innocent Native people, I want a day that acknowledges the rich cultural heritage of all Indigenous people in our state,\u201d Morigeau said in a text message to ICT and Montana Free Press. \u201cA day that recognizes the relationships we\u2019ve all forged together because, at the end of the day, we are all Indigenous from somewhere.\u201d

<\/P>\r\n\r\nMorigeau said the bill is an attempt to help Montanans better understand the tribes and cultures that are so iconic to the state.

<\/P>\r\n\r\n\u201cI\u2019m asking you to recognize the full breadth of history,\u201d Morigeau said in his opening statement to the committee Wednesday. \u201cTo be inclusive and to include everyone in this room, in these hallways and in this state. To talk about the wrongs in our history, to write our next chapter together, to reject selective history and recognize the good, the bad and the ugly so that we can learn and do better as a society.\u201d

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I believe with a room full of powerful & impactful testimony from native folks from all eight nations, even with a super majority, we can get it passed this year, the whole state is watching the anti-native bills, personal testimony will pass your bill this year, I'll organize<\/p>— Steven-Bear TwoTeeth (@TwoteethKelli) January 8, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>