Gunnar Ozuna 6th Period: Alaska renamed Columbus Day Indigenous People Day

Alaska finally went with the movement being made by many governments and officially renamed Columbus Day Indigenous People Day. A lot of governments are heading in that direction. The governor of Alaska, Bill Walker, wrote in an executive proclamation that “Alaska is built upon the homelands and communities of the Indigenous Peoples of this region, without whom the building of the state would not be possible.” He pointed out that 16% of Alaskans have indigenous heritage, and that “the State opposes systematic racism toward Indigenous Peoples of Alaska or any Alaskans of any origin and promotes policies and practices that reflect the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, ensure greater access and opportunity, and honor our nation’s indigenous roots, history.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Columbus, in History books, seems to be celebrated as a great explorer and a hero. However, he committed many atrocities to the Native Americans. Many explorers did terrible things to the Native Americans, while the Native Americans remained mostly innocent. I think it's great that they're getting celebrated like this.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         http://time.com/4070797/alaska-indigenous-peoples-day/