South Bend Common Council member Henry Davis Jr. has introduced a proposal that would rename Columbus Day in the city, changing it to “Indigenous Peoples Day” to honor Native Americans.

The cities of Seattle and Minneapolis have already changed the name of Columbus Day. Some people see honoring Columbus as controversial, as historical records (including Columbus’ own writings) show he committed atrocities against the native people of the Americas.

Historians say natives were forced to work in gold and silver mines, and their hands were cut off if they didn’t meet quotas. Columbus himself also wrote about selling young native girls into slavery.

The director of a local Italian-American heritage group, who was on-hand for the meeting in which the proposal was discussed, said Native Americans should be honored but Columbus Day should not be changed to do so.

Source: WSBT