The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA) is proud to announce a collaboration with members of the Native American Community during the 2024 Columbus Day Parade on Monday, October 14, 2024.

“This is an initiative a long Nme coming,” said Ron Onesti, President of the JCCIA. “We have been working together with tribal communities to dispel mistruths about Christopher Columbus, while at the same time promoting mutual respect, peace and unity between the two ethnic groups.”

Leaders from the Dakota Sioux, Creek Sioux, Navajo, Cherokee and Chippewa tribes will come from around the country to participate in the parade. They are members of the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA), an organization against the “Cancel Culture” environment and promotes Native American history and heritage.

“We are all Americans…Native Americans, Italian Americans, all Cultural Americans united as one,” said Tony Henson, President of NAGA. “I am looking forward to coming to Chicago in peace and harmony. We are excited to promote the values of the Iroquois Great Law of Peace that is the basis of our U.S.
Constitution.”

Several cultural groups will also perform traditional Native American song, dance and spoken word. Also in attendance will be Rafael Ortiz, author of several adult and children’s books about Christopher
Columbus, including “Christopher Columbus The Hero.” He is Hispanic of Indigenous (Taino) descent and is a speaker in great demand about the topic.

The Chicago Columbus Day Parade will kickoff at Noon on Monday, October 14 on State Street at Wacker Drive.

Interviews are encouraged.