Indigenous Leaders Denounce Trump’s Columbus Day Focus/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump has announced he will not recognize Indigenous Peoples Day, opting instead to fully restore Columbus Day—prompting Indigenous activists to renew calls for accurate historical recognition. Native leaders view Trump’s decision as a step backward and a dismissal of hard-won visibility. Advocacy efforts now intensify as activists vow continued generational work.
Indigenous Recognition vs. Columbus Day Politics Quick Looks:
- Trump reinstates Columbus Day, ignores Indigenous Peoples Day
- Activists say the decision revives outdated colonial narratives
- Biden first marked Indigenous Peoples Day via 2021 proclamation
- Columbus statues targeted amid racial justice movements
- Trump blames “wokeness” for Columbus statue removals
- Native leaders say this is “generational advocacy”, not politics
- Columbus Day tied to Italian-American identity, not Native history
- Indigenous lawmakers push for dual recognition in state policies
Deep Look: Trump’s Columbus Day Stance Sparks New Indigenous Advocacy Movement
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump’s declaration that he will not recognize Indigenous Peoples Day — instead vowing to restore Columbus Day “from the ashes” — is being condemned by Indigenous leaders as a signal that centuries-old struggles for recognition must persist into his second term.
“We have this special relationship with the federal government, but yet actions like this… take us back in time,” said Jonathan Nez, former president of the Navajo Nation.
Trump Rejects Indigenous Recognition in Favor of Columbus
On his Truth Social platform, Trump lamented what he described as a Democratic attempt to “destroy Christopher Columbus” and “all of the Italians that love him so much.”
His rhetoric marks a reversal from the symbolic gains under President Joe Biden, who issued the first-ever presidential proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day in 2021.
Biden’s proclamation acknowledged the resilience, sovereignty, and cultural contributions of Indigenous communities — though it did not eliminate Columbus Day or elevate Indigenous Peoples Day to a federal holiday.
A Legacy of Oppression, Recast in Celebration
While Columbus Day has long celebrated the 1492 voyage of Christopher Columbus, many Native Americans view it as a painful reminder of colonial violence, forced removals, and genocide.
“Once you know the historical record of Columbus’ impact, you can’t unlearn it,” said Montana Sen. Shane Morigeau, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, who is working to pass a bill recognizing both holidays in his state.
Activists want to replace or reframe the holiday to honor the survival, culture, and achievements of Indigenous peoples — not the legacy of colonization.
“Wokeness” or Historical Accountability?
Trump accused Democrats of erasing history to serve a “woke” agenda, though historians and Indigenous advocates argue the opposite: they seek to confront historical truth.
“It’s not about erasing Columbus,” said Morigeau. “It’s about teaching history accurately — not ignoring it.”
Harvard historian Philip Deloria, a member of the Dakota Nation, says Trump’s fixation on Columbus fits into a pattern of grievance politics, where uncomfortable truths are seen as personal attacks.
“Trump sees this as an ethnic grievance, but doesn’t see the larger nationalist issue,” Deloria said.
The Roots of Columbus Day
Columbus Day gained federal traction after the 1891 lynching of Italian immigrants in New Orleans. President Benjamin Harrison established the holiday to quell anti-Italian sentiment and win political favor.
Today, some Italian-Americans continue to view Columbus as a symbol of their ethnic heritage. But Indigenous communities argue that reverence should not come at the expense of truth or their dignity.
Generational Advocacy Continues
Under Trump’s first term, the administration issued statements acknowledging Native American Heritage Month and even released a policy document titled “Putting America’s First Peoples First.” But critics say these gestures were hollow — particularly in light of policy rollbacks and Columbus Day restorations.
Former Interior Department official Bryan Newland, a citizen of the Bay Mills Indian Community, said advocacy doesn’t hinge on who occupies the White House.
“This is generational work,” Newland said. “The toothpaste isn’t going back in the tube.”
A Movement Gaining Momentum
The first official Indigenous Peoples Day was observed in 1992 in Berkeley, California, but gained national momentum in the 2010s, especially following racial justice protests that led to the toppling of Columbus statues across the U.S.
Today, more than 20 states and dozens of cities recognize Indigenous Peoples Day — either alongside or in place of Columbus Day.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.