BOSTON - Wednesday,
October 6, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today signed an executive order establishing Monday, October 11, 2021 and
every second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day in Boston. As part
of this effort, the City of Boston is committed to recognizing the
Indigenous history, celebrating cultures, strengthening relationships,
denouncing colonial past, and increasing dialogue with local tribes to
foster reconciliation and support for the rights of Indigenous people.
Indigenous Peoples
Day recognizes the history of the land where Boston sits, the traditional
homeland of the Massachusett Tribe and the home of neighboring Wampanoag
and Nipmuc tribes. Mayor Janey encourages local businesses, organizations,
and public institutions to use this day as a moment of reflection of
historic policies that actively suppressed Indigenous cultures.
“Indigenous Peoples
Day celebrates the rich cultural legacies of our Indigenous communities
while also declaring Boston is ready to work with our neighbors to create a
more just future,” said Mayor Kim Janey. “With Boston’s long history comes
an opportunity and obligation to acknowledge the difficult parts of our
past and dedicate ourselves to fostering a more equitable City. Observing
Indigenous Peoples Day is about replacing the colonial myths passed down
from generation to generation with the true history of the land upon which
our nation was founded.”
Wednesday’s signing
at Boston City Hall is a result of collaboration with the United American
Indians of New England (UAINE), the North American Indian Center of Boston
(NAICOB), and members of the Massachusett Tribe - all a key part of
increasing the City’s engagement with Indigenous communities in Boston.
“The people of the
Massachusett Tribe have been a part of what is now called Boston for over
10,000 years,” said Elizabeth Solomon of the Massachusett Tribe at
Ponkapoag. “For far too long, the indigenous history of this place has been
obscured, and frequently erased, by the histories, myths, and priorities of
the dominant culture. We are happy to see the City of Boston take the
important step of recognizing and celebrating Indigenous peoples in Boston,
the Americas, and around the world. Many thanks to Mayor Janey and the many
members of her administration who worked with the indigenous community to
make this happen.”
“As someone who was
born in Boston but never felt that Indigenous people were welcomed by the
city government, I am very happy about Mayor Janey’s actions today,” said
Kimimilasha James, an Aquinnah Wampanoag youth leader with United American
Indians of New England. “Indigenous Peoples Day brings a positive message
about Indigenous survival and resilience in the face of genocidal actions
directed against Indigenous peoples since 1492. It’s a day to learn about
and celebrate Indigenous history and contemporary Indigenous peoples and
cultures. And it is just a first step for the city to begin to build
relationships with Indigenous people and begin to address the many
injustices faced by Indigenous people here in Boston and elsewhere. It is
time for us to stop being largely ignored and erased.”
“As a First Nation
Migmaw mother, I am pleased that the city of Boston is honoring Indigenous
Peoples Day,” said Gloria Colon, Outreach Coordinator for the North
American Indian Center of Boston (NAICOB). “Growing up in Dorchester I
experienced racism, I was targeted just for being Indigenous. While our
city still has work to do to make all people safe, it is important that
Indigenous children are appreciated and included.”
“We have been
working for several years to get Boston to properly acknowledge and be in
relationship with Indigenous nations and people here,” said Mahtowin Munro
(Lakota) from United American Indians of New England and the statewide
Indigenous Peoples Day campaign. “We wish to thank Mayor Janey and her
staff for listening to the concerns of Indigenous people in the city and
for her expressed commitment to Indigenous sovereignty and racial justice
for Indigenous peoples in the Boston area. She and her staff have set an
example as well by thoughtfully consulting and considering future steps
that need to be taken by the city. We are elated that she has declared
October 11, 2021 to be Indigenous Peoples Day in the City of Boston.”
“I’m so proud to
have a Mayor who listens to community and works to make Boston an inclusive
city,” said Raquel Halsey, member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara
Nation and Executive Director of NAICOB. “As a service provider, we have
heard countless stories of Indigenous people feeling unwelcome in Boston,
and they have felt the lasting consequences of genocide and colonialism
everyday. Recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day is an important step towards
addressing the lived experiences of many residents and building trust
between municipalities and Indigenous nations.”
“We must commend the
tribal leaders, Indigenous activists, and the City of Boston’s internal
working group for their dedication towards the action steps to enable the
health and wellness of our community members,” said Jean-Luc Pierite,
member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, president of NAICOB, and member of the
executive committee of the Black Mass. Coalition. “NAICOB, following our
over 50 year tradition and commitment to the New England Native American
community, looks forward to being a partner in ensuring improved
government-to-government relationships.”
Boston joins over
two dozen Massachusetts cities and towns in recognizing Indigenous Peoples
Day, a movement that has garnered allies within the Italian American
community.
“The membership of
Italian Americans for Indigenous Peoples Day is thrilled that Boston Mayor
Kim Janey has listened to the voices of Indigenous people and taken this
important step toward truth and justice,” said Heather Leavell, one of five
co-founders of the Italian Americans for Indigenous Peoples Day. “By
establishing Indigenous Peoples Day, Boston will honor the histories,
cultures, and resilience of the First Peoples of this land - those who were
here long before our ancestors arrived on these shores and are still here
today. We welcome the opportunities this holiday will bring us to move
forward together in healing and reconciliation.”
“We also call on the
MA Legislature to pass bill H.3191/S.2027, ‘An Act Establishing Indigenous
Peoples Day’," Leavell continued, “to officially designate the second
Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day across the Commonwealth.
Italian Americans for Indigenous Peoples Day believes that a holiday that
celebrates the resilience of Indigenous peoples is far more truthful and
uplifting than one that honors a man whose legacy is characterized by
conquest, slavery, and genocide. Any association with Christopher Columbus
diminishes our culture and does not honor the struggles and contributions
of our ancestors or the long tradition of human rights activism in the
Italian American community.”
As a way to turn
this new day of recognition into action, an internal working group of City
employees has developed a series of proposals as the beginning of a
long-term healing process, in collaboration with Indigenous community
leadership. Those proposals include recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day;
land acknowledgement; expanded capacity within the City to engage the
Indigenous community and to support Indigenous youth and families;
increased public representation of Indigenous peoples in the City; and an
increased focus on housing, economic and workforce development for tribal
members. |
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