For Monday - October 14, 2024 - Vermont Governor Phil Scott issued an Executive Proclamation affirming Indigenous Peoples’ Day for this year’s observance. The Day has been a legal holiday in the state by Legislative action, replacing the former Columbus Day commemoration since 2019. Before that, Governors Shumlin and Scott had issued similar annual Executive Proclamations from 2016 through 2018. Vermont became the third state in the US to make the day a permanent official holiday with the action in 2019.
Full text here:
State of Vermont
Executive Department
A Proclamation
WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples’ Day was proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; and
WHEREAS, Vermont recognizes the historic and cultural significance of Indigenous Peoples of America; and
WHEREAS, Vermont recognizes the Abenaki, their ancestors and allies and acknowledges and honors these friends and neighbors; and
WHEREAS, Act 18 of 2019 officially establishes the second Monday of each October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day; and
WHEREAS, through Act R-114 of 2021, the Vermont Legislature apologized and expressed sorrow for eugenics policies and practices;
WHEREAS, and by acknowledging previous harms, the state has taken an important step towards restorative justice; and
WHEREAS, Vermont is committed to ensuring equity in our state and acknowledging the important contributions of for Indigenous Peoples to our communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Philip B. Scott, Governor, hereby proclaim the 14th day of October, 2024 as
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY
in Vermont.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Vermont on this 13th day of October, A.D. 2024.
Philip B. Scott
Governor
Brittney L. Wilson
Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs