New Mexico natives mark Indigenous People's Day by protesting a monument to colonialism

[Judi Lynn]

Charles Davis 6 hours ago

Visitors to the historic plaza in Santa Fe, a bastion of liberalism in northern New Mexico, will find a charming square in the Spanish colonial style, surrounded by shops selling native wares — typically sold by non-native peoples — and a monument at the center of it all celebrating the slaughter of the area's original, commercially monetized inhabitants.

"To the heroes who have fallen in the various battles with the savage Indians in the territory of New Mexico," the monument, an obelisk erected in 1866, read for over a hundred years. The word "savage" has since been removed; not by public authorities, but by an unknown activist posing as a city worker in 1974.

As of 2019, New Mexico, where Native Americans make up roughly 11% of the population, officially celebrates Indigenous Peoples' Day. But the state, which appropriated the native Zeo people's solar symbol for its flag, remains flush with reminders of settler-colonialism and brutal conquest.

Santa Fe, at least, was supposed to be doing something about it. In June, Mayor Alan Webber, a liberal Democrat elected in 2018, responded to indigenous-led protests by pledging to remove the obelisk in his city's downtown and to form a truth-and-reconciliation committee to advise the municipality on the best way forward.

"Monuments are one way we remember and keep alive our history, but these symbols must speak the truth about the full history, not just that of the victors," he said in a statement. "That is the only way we will heal as a community."

More:
https://www.businessinsider.com/new-mexico-natives-mark-indigenous-peoples-day-santa-fe-protest-2020-10

[SheltieLover]

1. K&R!

Surreal anyone celebrates Columbus Day!

Glad Native Americas are getting it right!

[Beartracks]

2. Love my other hometown.

Last edited Mon Oct 12, 2020, 05:55 AM - Edit history (1)

Sincerely! Santa Fe is a special place.

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[Rule of Claw]

3. 250,000 Natives

were wiped off their Island by Spaniards after Columbus's "discovery."

To celebrate this day as Columbus Day is to celebrate conquest and subjugation.

I will not.

[Beartracks]

4. That was meant to be sincere appreciation!

I didn't mean this to be sarcastic slow-clapping.

Maybe I should have used or ....

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