HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2021.09.29 - 34896•
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
September 29, 2021
MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #21-380
Sponsored By: William Miller 1II, Gary McGillivray, Charles Cavell, Yolanda Smith Charles, Janet Jackson,
Marcia Gershenson, Gwen Markham, Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell, David Woodward, Penny Luebs
IN RE: Recognizing the Second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples' Day
Chairperson and Members of the Board:
WHEREAS the idea of Indigenous Peoples' Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations
to the United Nations -sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in
the Americas; and
WHEREAS in 1990, representatives from 120 Indigenous Nations at the First Continental Conference on 500
Years of Indian Resistance unanimously passed a resolution to transform Columbus Day into an opportunity to
reveal historical truths about pre-existing indigenous cultures that have survived an often -violent colonization
process which continues to exist and thrive in present day America; and
WHEREASthe United States endorsed the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on
December 16, 2010, and Article 15 of that declaration states:
• Indigenous peoples have the right to the dignity and diversity of their cultures, traditions, histories; and
aspirations, which shall be appropriately reflected in education and public information.
• States should take effective measures, in consultation and cooperation with the indigenous peoples
concerned, to combat prejudice and eliminate discrimination and to promote tolerance, understanding,
and good relations among indigenous peoples and all other segments of society; and
WHEREAS since 2015, at least 11 states and 129 cities in the United States have passed measures designating
the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of Columbus Day; and
WHEREAS historians have largely agreed that Columbus did not "discover" the Americas, as indigenous
people were already here, nor was he the first European to reach the "New World"; and
WHEREAS Columbus brought devastation to the Americas, enslaving indigenous people of the region and
decimating the population while opening the Americas up to Europe for the expansion of slave trade at the
expense of the indigenous population; and
WHEREAS the State of Michigan recognizes the presence of the three major tribal groups in our State today,
the Chippewa (Ojibwe), Ottawa (Odawa), and Potawatomi (Bodewadmik), who have lived upon this land since
time immemorial, and values the progress our society has accomplished through Native American thought and
culture; and
WHEREAS the recognition and acknowledgement of Indigenous Peoples' Day would officially acknowledge
and respectfully support the resistance, persistence, existence and living history of Oakland County's
indigenous people, including the Bodewadmik, Odawa, Ojibwe; and
WHEREAS Indigenous Peoples' Day shall be used to reflect upon the ongoing struggles of indigenous peoples
on this land, and to celebrate the thriving cultures and values that the Bodewadmik, Odawa, Ojibwe, and other
indigenous peoples contribute to our society; and
WHEREAS on this second Monday of October, we should honor the historic, cultural, and contemporary
significance of indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands that also became known as the Americas and
celebrate their contributions to communities throughout Michigan, the United States, and all over the world; and
WHEREAS Oakland County has a responsibility to oppose the systemic racism towards indigenous people in
the United States which perpetuates negative impacts on health, income, and social inequalities.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners proclaims
October 12, 2021, as Indigenous Peoples' Day in Michigan to uplift our country's indigenous roots, history, and
contributions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we celebrate and honor the foundational contributions of Indigenous
People to the history of our County, the State of Michigan, and our Country.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners encourages our schools
and other institutions to use Indigenous Peoples' Day as a point from which to, throughout the year, reflect upon
and learn about the historical abuses and continuing struggles of indigenous nations, and to celebrate the
magnificent foundations of the indigenous people of this land upon which our County, State, and Country were
built.
Chairperson, the following Commissioners are sponsoring the foregoing Resolution: William Miller III, Gary
McGillivray, Charles Cavell, Yolanda Smith Charles, Janet Jackson, Marcia Gershenson, Gwen
Markham, Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell, David Woodward, Penny Luebs.
G�IY/1dG —' Date: 10oZ'�
Lisa Brown, County Clerk / Register of Deeds
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2021-09-14 Legislative Affairs & Government Operations - Recommend to Board
2021-09-29 Full Board
VOTE TRACKING
Robert Hoffman moved to amend the Resolution by incorporating Columbus Day. Seconded by Charles Moss.
Chairperson David Woodward addressed the Board to call a recess at 8:07 pan.
Chairperson David Woodward called the Board to reconvene at 8:11 p.m.
Motion to Amend Failed.
Vote Summary (8-11-0)
Yes:Michael Gingell, Michael Spisz, Karen Joliat, Eileen Kowall, Christine Long, Thomas Kuhn, Charles
Moss, Robert Hoffinan
No: David Woodward, Kristen Nelson, Gwen Markham, Angela Powell, Marcia Gershenson, William Miller
I'II, Yolanda Smith Charles, Charles Cavell, Penny Luebs, Janet Jackson, Gary McGillivray
Abstain: None
Motioned by Commissioner Kristen Nelson seconded by Commissioner William Miller III to adopt the attached
Resolution: Recognizing the Second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples' Day.
Yes: David Woodward, Kristen Nelson, Gwen Markham, Angela Powell, Marcia Gershenson, William
Miller III, Yolanda Smith Charles, Charles Cavell, Penny Luebs, Janet Jackson, Gary McGillivray (11)
No: Michael Gingell, Michael Spisz, Karen Joliat, Eileen Kowall, Christine Long, Philip Weipert, Thomas
Kuhn, Charles Moss, Robert Hoffman (9)
Abstain: None (0)
Absent: (0)
The Motion Passed.
ATTACHMENTS
None
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Lisa Brown, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and
accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on September 29, 2021,
with the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court at Pontiac,
Michigan on Wednesday, September 29, 2021.
Lisa Brown, Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds