New Britain Schools Change Columbus Day to Indigenous People Day

The New Britain Board of Education has voted to permanently change the city schools’ recognition of Columbus Day to Indigenous People Day.

By a 7 to 2 vote, the Board decided to approve a proposal offered by Board member Violet Jimenez Sims to change the, “2020-21 School Calendar naming October 12, 2020 ‘Indigenous Peoples Day’ rather than Columbus Day.”

Barring another any laws to the contrary, the Board also voted to “continue this change on future school calendars on the holiday currently observed on the second Monday in October.”

The new policy approved by the Board notes that,

In this time of increased awareness and in alignment with district priorities that include using an equity lens and anti-racism in all aspects of our practice, it behooves the New Britain Board of Education and the CSDNB to acknowledge that Black, Brown, Indigenous, and People of Color (BBIPOC) still suffer from the ramifications of the colonial oppression that ensued at the hands of European explorers like Columbus.

“We have a responsibility,” says the new policy, “to reframe Euro-centric history by centering the experiences of the Indigenous Peoples in the United States and internationally – many of whom still struggle with income inequality, sovereignty, and equity in having their basic needs met in the health, education, and other sectors.”

The new policy of the Board notes that the change to recognizing Indigenous People Day aligns well with the New Britain school district’s overall plans to change its curriculum to include greater emphasis on African American and Latino studies.

“We have much work to do to counter 500+ years of a history whose aftermath many in our community still experience today,” said the new policy, “but we can start by joining the growing list of Connecticut cities and school districts making this change, including CREC (2019), West Hartford (2018), and Bridgeport (2015).”