State lawmakers from Indian Country are asking their colleagues to help change Columbus Day to Montana Heritage Day. Rep. Bridget Smith, a Democrat representing the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in eastern Montana, pitched House Bill 322 in the State Administration Committee on Wednesday.
She said Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, who claimed lands in the Americas for Spain, had committed acts of genocide on the indigenous peoples he met. Smith said textbook corporations exclude Columbus’ brutality from public education and said ignoring the accomplishments by Native Americans divides America and encourages racism.
