Push to make Indigenous People's Day a holiday in Buffalo

While some Americans celebrate Columbus Day on Monday, other Americans will be celebrating Indigenous People’s Day. It’s a holiday that celebrates Native Americans' heritage and culture.  It's becoming a growing national movement to get the holiday recognized across the nation. 

A Buffalo group is now pressuring Buffalo City leaders to officially recognize the holiday. On Monday, supporters of Indigenous Heritage Day will hold a rally on Niagara Street at the Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo Office. They are calling on the City of Buffalo and Buffalo Public Schools to recognize “Indigenous Heritage Day” on the second Monday of October in lieu of Columbus Day. There are reports that the group even has a petition circulating. 

Aside from rallying for the holiday, the group will also make a statement of solidarity with Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, in opposition to a proposed Dakota Access Pipeline

The Village of Akron recently made Indigenous People’s Day an official holiday. Akron already has a celebration planned for the holiday in Russell Park.

7 Eyewitness News Reporter, Justin Moore recently reported that The Niagara Wheatfield Board of Education unanimously voted to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day instead of Columbus Day. Students presented a powerful Power-Point to the board explaining why they want to see this change. According to them, Christopher Columbus did not discover America. They say he's responsible for killing and enslaving many natives. Students celebrated the board's approval almost two weeks ago, by changing the sign in front of the school. It now reads "October 10 Indigenous People's Day."  

The link to the story is below. 

http://www.wkbw.com/news/niagara-wheatfield-school-district-honors-those-who-died-at-the-hands-of-columbus-and-his-men