http://www.statenews.com/article.phtml?pk=37970

Groups to celebrate 'Indigenous Peoples'

By LINDSAY MACHAK

The State News


Most calendars identify Oct. 9 as Columbus Day. However, some students on campus refer to the day as Indigenous Peoples Day instead.
"We call it Indigenous People's Day because in calling it Columbus Day, you're celebrating the mass murder of people," said Ashley Harding, cultural programmer for the North American Indigenous Student Organization, or NAISO. "Indigenous Peoples Day is a celebration — remembering the lives that were lost. We also celebrate the Indian tribes that are around today."

Some students, such as Colleen Jakey, still acknowledge the day as when Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492 and discovered what is now the United States of America.

"I would say that it's Columbus Day, but I still recognize that people were taken advantage of," said Jakey, a communications junior.

Now that she is in college, Jakey said she is open to new viewpoints about Columbus Day.

"There's a way that we can make it both, as long as people recognize it as the day that America was discovered," Jakey said. "But you have to look at the big picture of it as to what really happened."

Several student organizations have put together events for Indigenous People's Day. One event, called "On the Fence: Conflicts Over the United States Border," will include a panel of speakers who will discuss immigration and how it affects sovereign Indian nations. Groups that will be represented by panelists during the discussion include the MSU College of Law, American Indian Studies program, Chicano/Latino Studies program, North American Indigenous Student Organization, Culturas de las Razas Unidas and Movimiento Estudiantil Xicano de Aztlan.

José Villarreal, a graduate student and member of the Chicano/Latino Studies program, said he celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day by meditating and recognizing his heritage.

"Indigenous Peoples Day is important because we get to honor the sacrifices of all the indigenous people throughout the world, not only here in North and South America," he said.

A candlelight vigil will also be held at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at the rock on Farm Lane.