New Mexico Legislature approves Indigenous People’s Day bill

A proposal to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous People’s Day has won final approval in the New Mexico Legislature.

The Senate voted on the bill after a lengthy floor debate Friday, sending it to the governor.

Numerous cities nationwide, including Albuquerque, have moved to shift the October holiday’s focus away from honoring Christopher Columbus by passing resolutions and measures that instead call for celebrating indigenous cultures.

But only a small handful of states so far have removed Columbus Day from their calendars and replaced it with Indigenous People’s Day.

Sponsors of the bill include Rep. Derrick Lente, of Sandia Pueblo, who said during this year’s legislative session that Columbus’ expeditions of the Americas five centuries ago had resulted in a violent legacy.

New Mexico is home to 23 tribes.

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