The city of Gainesville celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday with a ceremony outside City Hall that included singing, a presentation of gifts and a proclamation.
The ceremony happened at the historical marker installed three years ago in honor of indigenous people who lived in the Alachua County area for hundreds of years.
Mayor Harvey Ward read the proclamation that highlighted the culture and tradition of stewardship by these peoples.
A ceremony speaker said Gainesville is the only city in Florida to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day. Around the country, different states and cities have a mix of observances.
Ward said he’s surprised only Gainesville has made the switch in Florida. He recommended attendees reach out to friends in local government around the state, saying it’s ridiculous that Gainesville is alone in the celebration.
“We’re going to keep doing it regardless, whether anybody else picks it up or not,” Ward said.
Laura Whitehorse and other speakers noted that the history of the area began long before 1492 and highlighted the care that the Indigenous People took over the land.
“It is important that we acknowledge not only our past but also our continued presence and resilience,” Whitehorse said.
Harvey – you’re ALWAYS the gift that keeps on giving when you say: “…it’s ridiculous that Gainesville is alone in the celebration” – Reality check Bubba – even “blue” Alachua county (and Gainesville in particular0 have more important things to deal with of late than another “feel good holiday”. Get your priorities straight Mr. Mayor.
Thank you for the rationale comment
It’s not. A “feel good” holiday it is a reconciliation of a holiday that honors an individual who destroyed the lives of whole communities with his conquest of south and Central America. Columbus never even landed here but his beliefs and those of other conquistadors like DeSoto decimated the indigenous peoples of North America. Surely 1 day out of the year can be set aside to reconcile and publicly name the genocide that occurred .
I’m not saying Gainesville doesn’t have issue that need attention. But by giving indigenous peoples day a highlight is the beginning of recognition that they were here first . Other Gainesville issues have nothing to do with publicly acknowledging those who came before us who are no longer here due to government policies and colonialism.