The following notice of an important legislative hearing on Tuesday, October 2nd, to create a statewide Indigenous Peoples Day holiday, just came through from Senator Jo Comerford. She says, “Public input on this bill is absolutely critical for passage of this bill.”
Please share this message widely with friends across the Commonwealth.
Greetings,
I’m delighted to share that a bill I filed along with Representative Christine Barber, S.1976/H.2989 – An Act establishing an Indigenous Peoples Day, will have a hearing on Tuesday, October 3 at 11 a.m. I would welcome your participation in the hearing.
About S.1976/H.2989 and the importance of recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day statewide:
This bill would re-designate the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day. Currently, the day is named in honor of Christopher Columbus, largely celebrating him as the person who tackled a flat world to discover America.
But as you know, Columbus did not discover the Americas. This is a myth, steeped in racism, that has allowed history to credit a European man with discovering a land already teeming with societies.
Native Americans in the Commonwealth and across the United States have been working to provide accurate information to the public about Columbus as well as about the lasting impact of colonization. Their work recognizes that Columbus played an important role in our country’s history, but not a role worthy of one-sided celebration. I agree.
Indigenous Peoples Day will honor and put the reality of today’s Native American lives into our calendar.
You are warmly welcome to participate in this hearing – either in person at the State House or remotely, or by submitting written testimony. (Remember, public input is absolutely critical for passage of this bill.)
Indigenous Peoples Day Hearing:
Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.
Gardner Auditorium and virtual
To testify in-person or virtually:
Register by completing this form by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 29
To submit written testimony (it need not be long or detailed):
Email your statement to Jordan Latham at jordan.latham@mahouse.gov and Haley Dillon at haley.dillon@masenate.gov, and copy me at jo.comerford@masenate.gov, by Wednesday, October 4 at 5:00 p.m.
Thank you!
Jo