Committee on Health and Human Relations City Council Meeting September 18, 2019 Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez Indigenous Peoples Day
ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, Indigenous Nations have lived upon this land and across the Western Hemisphere since time immemorial and that the City of Chicago recognizes that the original inhabitants of the area, now known as Chicago, is the Council of the Three Fires: Ojibwe, Potawatomi and Odawa along with over a dozen additional tribal nations; and
WHEREAS, despite the near decimation of the Indigenous Peoples here in Chicago due to European migration our city continues to be a site of gathering, trade, and ceremony for descendants from tribal nations that span across the Americas; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago has a responsibility to oppose the ongoing systematic racism towards Indigenous Peoples residing in the United States and recognizes the historic discrimination and violence inflicted upon Indigenous Peoples ofthe Western Hemisphere, including their forced removal from ancestral lands, and the deliberate and systematic destruction of their communities and culture; and
WHEREAS, in the late 1970's, a movement began to replace the Columbus Day holiday with a celebration knowrn as Indigenous Peoples Day to recognize and commemorate the contribution of Indigenous Peoples to the United States and to condemn the atrocities that were committed against them. Many cities and states have since chosen to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day on the same date as, and in lieu of, Columbus Day; and
WHEREAS, the City of Chicago recognizes the Celebration of Columbus Day perpetuates violence against the Indigenous Peoples and other marginalized communities through the promotion of American Exceptionalism, which continues to be grounded in the ideologies of white supremacy; and
WHEREAS, the Indigenous Populations of modern day Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Trinidad, Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as well as, the Bahamas, Cuba, Venezuela and Central America have never recuperated from the invasion, extraction and exploitation caused by Christopher Columbus' four trips across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain that laid the blue print for force removal, assimilation, genocide and slavery throughout American history; and
WHEREAS, establishing a Day to recognize the contributions of and diversity within Indigenous populations ofthe Western Hemisphere is appropriate and necessary to ensure these histories are not forgotten; and
WHEREAS, the abolishment of Columbus Day promotes a more equitable and inclusive city for all Chicagoans
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
1-8-110 Commemoration of City founder
In conjunction with annual celebrations of its date of incorporation, the City of Chicago shall commemorate and promote public awareness of the life and accomplishments of its founder, Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable.
1-8-120 Commemoration of Indigenous Peoples
The Second Monday in October, the Citv of Chicago shall celebrate Indigenous People's Day to commemorate and promote public awareness of the diversity, accomplishments and contributions of Indigenous Peoples.
SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be effective upon passage and approval.