City Council looks to abolish Columbus Day

Oberlin is trying to become the first city in the state to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day instead.

Oberlin is trying to become the first city in the state to adopt a resolution celebrating Indigenous People’s Day instead of Columbus Day.

The decision came after a May 15 presentation by Morning Dove Jean Foggo Simon who, along with a committee, organized a petition drive which already has garnered 200 signatures.

“We feel Oberlin, with its rich history of supporting human rights, would be a fitting place to adopt this policy,” Simon said. “Our nation’s history seems to be vital as we discover most of what we’ve been taught seems to be embedded in mythology and folklore.”

The journey toward abolishing Columbus Day began in 1965, according to Simon. The United Nations passed a resolution to eliminate all forms of discrimination.

In 1977, a delegation of natives proposed the new holiday to the International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in America.

Simon said the holiday was first adopted in place of Columbus Day in 1990 by the city of Berkeley, Calif., and the state of South Dakota.

She also highlighted the effect of Columbus’ expedition to the Americas.

“His arrival and subsequent travels led to spread of deadly diseases, warfare, massacres of native populations,” Simon said. “He and his men bragged about their work as killing, destroying, ravaging, massacres and maiming.

“On return to Europe, he came back in chains and was charged with crimes against humanity; even way back when. He was later pardoned and returned to the Carribean where he had actually done some of the things I just mentioned, but he was stripped of his glory.”

According to Simon, prior to Oberlin being claimed in 1833, the Erie tribe of Native Americans lived on the southern shores of Lake Erie.

The Human Relations Commission previously heard the presentation on the holiday and unanimously endorsed the change, according to commission co chair Ray English.

Council President Ronnie Rimbert expressed his support for the change in holiday.

“As a community, we have never celebrated Columbus Day,” Rimbert said. “Maybe we can start celebrating Indigenous Day and start a new trend in this community and go from there.”

The Council chose to forward the issue to Law Director Jon Clark to write legislation to replace the holiday, not only for city buildings and employees, but citywide.