Austin to recognize 'Columbus Day' as 'Indigenous Peoples' Day' instead

AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin City Council has approved a resolution to recognize the second Monday of every October as "Indigenous Peoples' Day."

In case you didn't know, that's the same day Columbus Day falls on, a day the resolution says for indigenous people "forever changed their identity, cultures and achievements."

The resolution also says the city of Austin has a "responsibility to oppose the systematic racism towards Indigenous People in the United States, which perpetuates high rates of poverty and income inequality, exacerbating disproportionate health, education, and social crises."

With approval of the resolution, the city will encourage Austin public schools to include the teaching of Indigenous Peoples' history and participate in annual Indigenous Peoples' Day celebrations.