Many offices, businesses and classrooms are closed to observe Columbus day, a federal holiday started to celebrate Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas.
At the University of Oregon, however, many students and faculty observe a different holiday: Indigenous Solidarity Day Reclaiming the History of Those Forced to Be Forgotten, often abbreviated to Anti-Columbus Day.
A sizable demonstration gathered at the EMU amphitheater Monday afternoon with a mission to “set the record straight on Columbus,” as sociology professor Chuck Hunt put it. For the demonstrators, celebrating Christopher Columbus’ arrival and subsequent colonization of much of the Americas is at least a tacit approval of colonization and the genocide of many indigenous groups.
Giving an evocative speech, Professor Hunt asked the listeners to think about what they actually celebrate when they observe what he calls “the invasion of the Americas by Columbus.” Some of the points he wanted to get across were about the Spanish colonies that Columbus established, and Columbus’ well known practice of cutting the hands off of the indigenous people if they neglected to procure him enough gold for his voyage back to Spain.
The event was put on by the Native American Student Union, as it has been for many years since the group’s inception in 1969.
“Originally, the Anti-Columbus demonstrations began in conjunction with a nation-wide movement fighting for Native American rights in the ’70s, the most memorable event being the occupation of Alcatraz Island. Now it’s less radical,” said co-director of NASU Stephanie Tabibian of the Shoshone-Paiute tribe. “It’s more of a reminder to resist genocide and remember who Columbus really was.”
Two other co-directors of NASU, Jade Martinez of the Warm Springs/Klamath tribe and Ada Ball of the Siletz and Modoc Klamath tribes, said this is the first year they’ve been involved with the Anti-Columbus Day demonstrations through NASU, but they think it’s an important observation of history.
“Columbus is not a hero,” Ball said. “We should remember that.”
“It’s not just about demonstrating, it’s about getting people together and sharing stories and food. That’s why we’re having a salmon dinner tonight at the Many Nations Longhouse behind the law school,” Martinez said.
NASU encourages all students and members of the public to attend starting at 6 p.m. Monday.