St. Louis Indigenous Peoples Day

This years Indigenous Peoples Day celebration will be held on Monday , Oct. 11, 2021. at the Sons of Rest Pavilion, located on the east side of Tower Grove Park off Grand Blvd. , next to the Stupp Center.

Kathy worked with The Honorable Christine Ingrassia, Alderwoman 6th Ward, and along with the other alderman listed and keeping in communications with Rio Vitale, the group was able to set aside Columbus Day in St. Louis City and replace it with a day to honor Indigenous People of North America.

RESOLUTION No. 148

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis recognizes that the Indigenous Peoples of the lands, which would later become known as the Americas, have occupied these lands since time immemorial; and

WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis recognizes the fact that the 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 values the many contributions made to our community through Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge, labor, technology, science, philosophy, arts and the deep cultural contribution that has substantially shaped the character and history of the City of St. Louis; and

WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis has a responsibility to oppose the systematic racism towards Indigenous people in the United States, which perpetuates high rates of poverty and income inequality, exacerbating disproportionate health, education, and social crises; and

WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis promotes the closing of the equity gap for Indigenous Peoples through policies and practices that reflect the experiences of Indigenous Peoples, ensure greater access and opportunity, and honor our nation’s indigenous roots, history, and contributions; and

WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; and

WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis officially established the Civil Rights Enforcement Agency in 1976, committing itself to eliminate, reduce, and remedy discrimination for all St. Louis residents in areas of housing, employment, public accommodations.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City of St. Louis Board of Aldermen as follows: the Board of Aldermen strongly supports the proposition that Indigenous Peoples’ Day shall be an opportunity to celebrate the thriving cultures and values of the Indigenous Peoples of our region; the Board of Aldermen encourages St. Louis Public Schools to include the teaching of indigenous peoples; the Board of Aldermen encourages other businesses, organizations, and public institutions to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day; the Board of Aldermen firmly commits to continue its efforts to promote the well-being and growth of St. Louis’s American Indian and Indigenous communities; and the Board of Alderman of the City of St. Louis declare the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the City of St. Louis.

Introduced this 5th day of October, 2018 by:

The Honorable Christine Ingrassia, Alderwoman 6th Ward

The Honorable Megan E. Green, Alderwoman 15th Ward

The Honorable Dan Guenther, Alderman 9th Ward

The Honorable Sarah Martin, Alderwoman 11th Ward

The Honorable Heather Navarro, Alderwoman 28th

Ward The Honorable Annie Rice, Alderwoman 8th Ward

Adopted this 5th day of October, 2018 as attested by:

_______________________ __________________________ Louis C. Galli, Jr. Interim Clerk, Board of Aldermen Lewis E. Reed President, Board of Aldermen