Orono will mark Indigenous People’s Day instead of Columbus Day starting in 2018. An ordinance change was approved by the town council at its meeting last week. Orono joins Bangor and Belfast as the three communities in the state to stop calling the second Monday in October Columbus Day. …Orono will mark Indigenous People’s Day instead of Columbus Day starting in 2018.
An ordinance change was approved by the town council at its meeting last week. Orono joins Bangor and Belfast as the three communities in the state to stop calling the second Monday in October Columbus Day. The change is meant to honor Native Americans on that day.
Comments both in favor of and opposing the designation were expressed during public comment before the council vote. Supporters said it was not meant to change history, but rather a matter of respect; others complained that renaming the holiday was yet another example of political correctness being taken to far.
The name change had been brought to the council for deliberation after resident Norma Mallory presented a letter saying doing so would acknowledged and honor Native Americans as the first people of America. It also was termed “a step in formatting collaborative and caring connections so that together we can begin to heal and grow toward building truth and trust.”
While the holiday will be noted as Indigenous Peoples Day for town employees, other entities, such as businesses, churches, and schools, may still call the holiday what they wish.
The holiday can not be officially marked with the new name for this year because the vote came just under the 30 day deadline for new ordinances to go into effect.

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