by Steffi Carrera ‘14

Columbus Day is celebrated each year on October 12, not only in America but also in many Latin American countries. People from various nations celebrate the day Christopher Columbus arrived to what is now known as North America, but at the time was deemed to be new, unused land. However, this land was far from uninhabited. Several Native American tribes had already discovered this territory, and how to sustain life on it. They had thrived here for hundreds of years, raising families and increasing their population, before Europeans invaded their land. For this reason, groups like the International Indian Treaty Council and the American Indian Movement of Colorado are in opposition of a holiday that celebrates a man who, in their opinion, promoted the oppression of the native people. European colonists forced their religion on the indigenous and slaughtered their population, operating under the belief that their actions benefited these helpless barbarians. Certain groups, like the ones listed above, and individuals like me, just do not think this is something to be easily forgotten, nor forgiven.