Stonehouse

By CHRISTIE BLECK and

CECILIA BROWN

Journal Staff Writers

MARQUETTE — Just eight cities in Michigan — Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Alpena, Detroit, East Lansing, Ferndale, Southfield and Traverse City — officially recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

But Marquette might be joining them in honoring indigenous peoples this week, as a discussion regarding the recognition is on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting of the Marquette City Commission after a proclamation request was submitted to the city earlier this month.

“The commission clearly recognizes the importance of (Indigenous Peoples’ Day),” Marquette Mayor Fred Stonehouse said in an email. “As a historian I am especially aware of it. It is essential we recognize and celebrate the very rich cultural heritage of the indigenous people of not only Michigan and the Great Lakes, but the entire continent.”

At the state level, state Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, introduced legislation Oct. 8 to replace Columbus Day — a federal holiday observed the second Monday in October — with Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Michigan, which would make Michigan the eighth state in the U.S. to do so.

“Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2016, and the state of Michigan should follow their lead,” Irwin said in a press release. “Six other cities in Michigan –Alpena, Detroit, East Lansing, Ferndale, Southfield and Traverse City — have opted to reclaim this day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day and I applaud their courage. By highlighting their contributions, we also shine a light on the important struggles that native communities face, such as poverty and isolation.”

Furthermore, the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Campaign in the Upper Peninsula — which includes individuals from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, residents of Houghton and Baraga counties, as well as individuals from Michigan Tech, Finlandia and Northern Michigan universities — has been working to “promote the recognition of the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day on institutional calendars across the U.P.,” according to its website.

“Our campaign is aligned with a rising nationwide effort — several cities, states and universities across our country have replaced the federal Columbus Day holiday to one that officially celebrates the Indigenous Peoples of our nation,” the website states. “Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a counter-celebration, a criticism of the memorialization of European colonization and settlement through acts of injustice, dispossession, uprooting and decimation of entire populations of Indigenous peoples of the Americas.”

And up in the Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan Tech University announced it will officially recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day this year with a series of events kicking off Monday.

However, the day hasn’t been officially recognized at Northern Michigan University to date.

Cody Mayer, president of the Associated Students of Northern Michigan University and a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, is part of the Crane Clan, or Leadership Clan.

Mayer said that in 2017 ASNMU — NMU’s elected student government — proposed a resolution to the NMU Board of Trustees requesting an academic holiday and Indigenous Peoples’ Day be recognized on the second Monday of October, replacing Columbus Day. The board refused to vote on this.

Earlier this year he presented a presidential referendum question to the ASNMU General Assembly, which was approved unanimously. This put the following language before the entire student body as a ballot question: “Would you support Northern Michigan University recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday of October? Yes or No.”

The students voted 89% in favor of the ballot question.

“The students of NMU have faith and confidence in my leadership to achieve progress and results on issues they are passionate about such as this,” Mayer said.

He said he presented the results to the board of trustees at its September meeting, and the board formed an ad hoc committee composed of individuals such as himself, NMU President Fritz Erickson, board Chairman Robert Mahaney and other community members to discuss recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day at NMU.

“This is progress from where the conversation was a few years ago and I am optimistic moving forward,” Mayer said. “However, this is not the results the students wanted.”

On Monday, Mayer will read at the pre-march rally at NMU’s Academic Mall a presidential proclamation as ASNMU president. The day also is scheduled to include songs, talks and a panelist discussion in room 1322 at Jamrich Hall.

He was also the individual to submit a proclamation request to Marquette City Manager Mike Angeli to have the Marquette City Commission vote on recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.

Cecilia Brown can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is cbrown@miningjournal.net