Disir
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- Sep 30, 2011
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LINCOLN — A line spanning nearly 400 years connects Italian explorer Christopher Columbus to Chief Standing Bear of the Ponca Tribe.
When Columbus discovered the New World in 1492, he touched off European colonization that resulted in centuries of displacement of indigenous peoples. In 1879, Standing Bear fought his own removal in an Omaha courtroom, resulting in a landmark decision that recognized Native Americans as people under the law.
Now a state senator from Lincoln wants to replace Columbus Day with an official state holiday honoring Standing Bear and other leaders from Nebraska’s four American Indian tribes. The bill also could bring a national conflict over Columbus — a hero to some, a villain to others — to the floor of the Nebraska Legislature.
“We don’t have a day honoring our first people,” said State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks. “Truly, Standing Bear is our Martin Luther King.”
Bill would replace Columbus Day with day honoring Chief Standing Bear, other Native American leaders
Excellent idea.
When Columbus discovered the New World in 1492, he touched off European colonization that resulted in centuries of displacement of indigenous peoples. In 1879, Standing Bear fought his own removal in an Omaha courtroom, resulting in a landmark decision that recognized Native Americans as people under the law.
Now a state senator from Lincoln wants to replace Columbus Day with an official state holiday honoring Standing Bear and other leaders from Nebraska’s four American Indian tribes. The bill also could bring a national conflict over Columbus — a hero to some, a villain to others — to the floor of the Nebraska Legislature.
“We don’t have a day honoring our first people,” said State Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks. “Truly, Standing Bear is our Martin Luther King.”
Bill would replace Columbus Day with day honoring Chief Standing Bear, other Native American leaders
Excellent idea.