Bloomington Council to vote on Indigenous Peoples' Day as city holiday - Bloomington Pantagraph

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BLOOMINGTON — City leaders will vote Monday night to formally recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day as a city holiday on the second Monday in October.

The proposed ordinance would direct the city's Human Relations Commission to partner with community organizations to sponsor an annual observance and/or celebration of the holiday.

The policy does not replace the federal or state holidays honoring Christopher Columbus' arrival to the United States.

"[The city wishes to] publicly express the community’s gratitude for the many contributions made through Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge, labor, spirituality, technology, science, philosophy, arts, and the deep cultural contribution that substantially shaped the character of Bloomington," the proposed ordinance reads.

City Council members will also consider approving a resolution to petition federal, state and other local governments to "officially observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day and end formal observance of Columbus Day as a holiday."

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Both efforts are led by Ward 6 Ald. Jenn Carrillo, who began discussions with other members this summer to replace the holiday recognizing the Italian explorer and navigator. 

In November, the council agreed to draft the ordinance and bring it back for a vote, but not without hesitation from some members, who thought replacing one holiday with another might make Italian Americans feel excluded. 

Watch now: Council advances Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Bloomington

Reached by phone Friday, Carrillo said she is supportive of everyone celebrating their heritage.

"Except when that heritage includes genocide," Carrillo said, adding there are "plenty of other noteworthy Italian people" who could be celebrated by Italian Americans.

"Because holidays are symbolic, what we celebrate reflects what we believe in as a community. We need to recognize the violence and the tragedy experienced by Indigenous Peoples," Carrillo said. "Acknowledging that history helps us heal and move forward." 

IDOT's seven possible alternatives to the intersection at Veterans Parkway, Empire Street

IDOT alternative intersection 2

This screenshot of a Jan. 14 IDOT meeting shows a concept for the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Empire Street in Bloomington: continuous flow intersection.

IDOT alternative intersection 3

This screenshot of a Jan. 14 IDOT meeting shows a concept for the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Empire Street in Bloomington: single-point urban interchange.

IDOT alternative intersection 4

This screenshot of a Jan. 14 IDOT meeting shows a concept for the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Empire Street in Bloomington: diverging diamond.

IDOT alternative intersection 5

This screenshot of a Jan. 14 IDOT meeting shows a concept for the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Empire Street in Bloomington: echelon. 

IDOT alternative intersection 6

This screenshot of a Jan. 14 IDOT meeting shows a concept for the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Empire Street in Bloomington: throughabout.

IDOT alternative intersection 7

This screenshot of a Jan. 14 IDOT meeting shows a concept for the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Empire Street in Bloomington: center turn overpass.

IDOT alternative intersection 8

This screenshot of a Jan. 14 IDOT meeting shows a concept for the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Empire Street in Bloomington: standard intersection.

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January 25, 2021 at 04:00AM
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Bloomington Council to vote on Indigenous Peoples' Day as city holiday - Bloomington Pantagraph

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