After a long, much needed winter’s break, Nalliq is back at it, bringing you information about top issues in the Alaska Native and greater indigenous community.
Senator Olson (D-Golovin) has introduced legislation that would create an Indigenous Peoples Day as an annual day of honor.
“But didn’t Alaska already do that?”
On October 12th of this year, that designation is set to expire.
Last October, Governor Walker issued a proclamation making October 12th, 2015 as Indigenous Peoples Day, a one-time designation, as did Mayor Berkowitz with the Municipality of Anchorage.
SB 159 would designate the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day as an annual day of honor. It was introduced on January 25th and was referred to Senate State Affairs where it is awaiting a hearing.
The House has issued a companion bill, sponsored by Representative Drummond (D-Anchorage) and there is a hearing scheduled in House State Affairs next Tuesday, February 9th at 8:00 am. Viewers can watch the hearing at www.360north.org
Senator Olson and Representative Drummond will both be panelists at the March 17th Native Issues Forum in Juneau, where they will discuss the greater movement surrounding Indigenous Peoples Day and share about this legislation.
If you are interested in submitting a letter of support for this legislation, contact Cordelia Kellie at [email protected]
To see Nalliq’s original piece about Indigenous Peoples Day, click here:
https://nalliq.com/2015/10/11/octobers-second-monday-alaska-natives-and-the-debate-about-columbus/
For full text of the legislation and the sponsor statement, click here:
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/Bill/Detail/29?Root=SB%20159#tab1_4
If you are interested in submitting a letter of support for this legislation, contact Cordelia Kellie at [email protected]
