On Tuesday, October 5, the Athens-Clarke County Mayor & Commission adopted a resolution recognizing the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day as an alternative to Columbus Day. The vote was unanimous (with Commissioners Wright & Hamby absent).
Commissioner Tim Denson presented the resolution and received guidance from the UGA Institute of Native American Studies along with Commissioners Houle, Link, and Parker. With the Mayor & Commission taking this step, Athens, Georgia joins South Fulton as municipalities in Georgia recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day in place of Columbus Day.
“This land that we are on right now, as all of Clarke County and Georgia, was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples. Specifically in Athens, inhabited by the Cherokee and Muscogee people. It is important for us to be true and honest to our history and this resolution and creation of Indigenous Peoples Day does that. Especially when our history includes Athens’ own Wilson Lumpkin, one of the most pivotal individuals in creating the Trail of Tears and enacting the Indian Removal Act and who we have roads and buildings named after.”
Commissioner Tim Denson
You can read the full resolution below: