A bill to change Christopher Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Minnesota state level was voted 8-5 on March 15 to move the legislation out of the House State Government Finance and Elections Committee to be voted on by the full House. Indigenous people have called for the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day, which celebrates aspects of Native American culture and history.

At least 10 states have passed laws that celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, while more celebrate the day via a governor’s proclamation. Gov. Tim Walz has signed a proclamation every year since coming into office in 2019. While those proclamations only lasted one day, this bill would be a permanent change at the state level.