Late last week, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation day recognizing this important day with the following message:
Whereas, Johnson County recognizes that the indigenous peoples of the lands that would later become known as the Americas have occupied these lands since time immemorial; and
Whereas, Johnson County recognizes the genocide and opposes the systemic racism practiced toward indigenous peoples in the Unites States, which perpetuates high rates of poverty and income inequality, exacerbates disproportionate negative health and education outcomes, and weakens social stability; and
Whereas, Indigenous Peoples Day began in 1977 at the United Nations-sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; and
Whereas, the United States endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on December 16, 2010, and the Declaration recognizes that "indigenous peoples have suffered from historic injustices as a result of... their colonization and dispossession of their lands, territories, and resources"; and
Whereas, Johnson County recognizes the value of many contributions made to our community through indigenous peoples' knowledge, labor, spirituality, technology, science, philosophy, arts, and the deep cultural contribution that shaped this country's character.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, do hereby proclaim October 14, 2019, to be INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY in Johnson County, Iowa and urge all residents to reflect upon the ongoing struggles of indigenous peoples and to celebrate the thriving culture and value that indigenous peoples found on this land long before the creation of this state and the United States of America.
Coordinators from the UI Native and Indigenous Studies Program were available to accept the BOS' proclamation.
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But it wasn't just county government! The Iowa City City Council issued a similar proclamation earlier this month:
Whereas, the City of Iowa City recognizes that the Indigenous Peoples of the lands, which would later become known as the Americas, have occupied these lands since time immemorial and continue to play a vital role in the development of local communities and the nation; and
Whereas, the City recognizes the fact that Iowa City is built upon the homelands and villages of the Indigenous Peoples of this region, without whom the building of the City would not have been possible; and
Whereas, the City is dedicated to opposing systemic racism towards Indigenous People, which perpetuates high rates of poverty and income inequality, and exacerbates disproportionate health, education, and social crises; and
Whereas, Whereas, Indigenous Peoples Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegate of Native Nations to the United Nations sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; and
Whereas, the City strongly supports the preposition that Indigenous Peoples' Day shall be an opportunity to celebrate the thriving cultures and values of the Indigenous Peoples of the region; and
Whereas, the City encourages all residents to acknowledge the historic sacrifices of Indigenous Peoples, and to recognize their contributions to the emergence and development of the city, the state, the nation, the free world, and the global economy; and
Whereas, the City strongly encourages schools to include the teaching of Indigenous Peoples' history in its curriculum and encourages other businesses, organizations, and institutions to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day.
Now, Therefore, I, James A. Throgmorton, Mayor of Iowa City, do hereby proclaim October 14, 2019, as Indigenous Peoples' Day in Iowa City.