Dunn County declares 2nd Monday in October as “Indigenous Peoples Day”
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By LeAnn R. Ralph
MENOMONIE — The Dunn County Board has approved a resolution declaring the second Monday in October as “Indigenous Peoples Day” in Dunn County.
The resolution refers to the second Monday in October being “commemorated” as Indigenous Peoples Day and offers a real opportunity to celebrate the combining of two cultures, said James Tripp, county board supervisor from Menomonie, at the Dunn County Board’s September 18 meeting.
Indigenous Peoples Day “does not diminish Columbus Day,” he said.
Dunn County will not be alone because many other states and cities have declared an Indigenous Peoples Day, said Diane Morehouse, county board supervisor from Menomonie.
When Columbus arrived, there were people living here “who had lived here for millennia,” and this is a way to celebrate the “incredible legacy of our indigenous neighbors,” she said.
Larry Bjork, county board supervisor from Menomonie, said he had heard a discussion on the radio about the length of wars in which the United States has engaged, and that he was shocked to learn the longest of all wars was the war against the Indian Nations.
Gary Seipel, county board supervisor from Eau Galle, said he was in favor of the resolution and that it was “long overdue” although he did not agree with the “floating date.”
John Calabrese, county board supervisor from Menomonie, noted his grandparents had come from Italy in 1918 and had celebrated Columbus Day and that he was going to vote in favor of the resolution “so future generations can recognize Columbus and Native Americans.”
According to background information included with the resolution, Wisconsin is home to 11 federally recognized native tribes, in addition to other non-federally recognized tribes, “all with unique cultures, language and rich contributions to Wisconsin’s identity. Dunn County recognizes that the settlements and communities within Dunn County are built upon the homeland of Indigenous Peoples. Additionally, Dunn County has a responsibility to oppose the systemic racism towards indigenous people both here in Dunn County and across the state and nation.”
The background information goes on to say, “Indigenous People’s Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations-sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas. Dunn County wishes to honor our nation’s Indigenous roots, history and contributions and wishes to join the cities and states who have already adopted and celebrate Indigenous People’s Day.”
The Dunn County Board unanimously approved the resolution.
The resolution states the Dunn County Board “encourages all communities, businesses, organizations, municipal governments and public institutions to join the County in recognizing and observing Indigenous People’s Day.”
Menomonie declared an Indigenous Peoples day at the July meeting, and other counties and cities around Wisconsin have adopted an Indigenous Peoples day as well, including Eau Claire, LaCrosse, Madison, Wausau and Superior, said Warren Lange, who addressed the Dunn County Board in favor of Indigenous People’s Day during the public comments portion of the meeting.
