Montana โmarks First Official Indigenous Peoples‘ โคDay amidst Years of Advocacy
HELENA, Mont. โข- Montana officially observed its first Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, October 14th, marking a meaningful victory for nativeโฃ American advocatesโ and a shift in how the โstate acknowledges โฃits history. The โคholiday, established โคthrough legislation signed into law โขlast spring,โค replaces Columbus Day as โa state-recognized โday of remembrance. Celebrations took place across Montana,โค including events in Bozeman, Missoula, Great Falls, Butte, Billings, and Glendive.
For years, advocates pushed for theโฃ recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ โDay, facing resistance from some lawmakersโ who criticized discussionsโ about the ancient impact of Christopher Columbus.โข This year’s successful passage of Senateโข Bill 224,sponsoredโฃ by Sen. Shane Morigeau, D-Missoula, represents a change in strategy, focusingโ on the positive aspects of celebrating Indigenousโฃ cultures rather than solely confronting historical grievances.
“What we decided was, we’re going to focus more on what we can control, andโ what we can control is what our day is,” Morigeau explained.โ “Let’s focus on whatโฃ our day โคis and the fact that we have โฃthis beautiful, โคinclusive holiday that is being celebrated all โคacross the state for years now. โLet’s find a way โto keep this really โฃpositive.”
Governor Greg Gianforte signed the bill into law in May, acknowledging the importance of recognizing the contributions and history of Montana’s Indigenous communities. “It’s a positive thing โfor Montana,” Morigeau said.”I think it’s a positive thing for us to learn about eachโค other, to better understand each other.”
Events held throughout the state includedโ the โelouise Cobell Arbor dedication at montana State University in Bozeman, a Beartracks Celebration Powwow โคin Missoula’s Caras โคPark, and cultural activities at โDawson Community College in Glendive.A screening of “You’re No Indian” andโค a round dance were held at Montana State โฃUniversity Billings,while Butte hosted aโฃ proclamation ceremony at the Butte-Silver โคBow courthouse and Greatโ Falls featured guest speakers and a fryโ bread contest at Great Falls College.
More information about events and the Indigenous Peoples’ Day movement in Montana can beโ found at IndigenousPeoplesDayMontana.org.
