On Feb. 28, a hearing was held on a bill before the Public Services Committee of the Tennessee state legislature for the adoption of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in lieu of Columbus Day, which is currently recognized by the state. The committee hearing was held at the Cordell Hull State Office Building in downtown Nashville.

The bill is sponsored by newly-elected State Rep. Justin Jones of District 52, which covers parts of Nashville. Accompanying the bill was support testimony from Indigenous representatives Melba Checote-Eads (Muskogee Creek Nation) of Woodbury, Tenn., Dante Reyna, Tzotzil Maya/Tarahumara, the Indigenous Scholars Organization of Vanderbilt University, and this writer.