City Council - Ordinance Committee

Ordinance Committee 1/26/2021 18:00 Meeting conducted via zoom and recorded Members present: Salem Derby-Chair, Owen Zaret-Clerk, Tom Peake Minutes were approved from 1/14/2021 and 12/22/2020 3-0 (motion Peake, second Zaret) There was no public speak. Indigenous Peoples Day The item was summarized by councilor Zaret and discussed by the committee members. The item was amended to create a section in the ordinance specifying city holidays, and to be introduced by the prior language as a resolution. Support from the public was introduced into the record including letters from the UAINE and the Western Massachusetts Commissioner on Indian Affairs There was public input on the item: Chali’Inaru Dones spoke as a representative of the Taino people in favor of the proposal. She spoke to the troublesome history of the holiday and that refocusing on indigenous people will set history straight Heather Leavell spoke as a representative and cofounder of Italians Americans for Indigenous Peoples day. She spoke in support of the change in Easthampton and Massachusetts. Stated that “a holiday that celebrates indigenous peoples is more important than one that celebrates a villain” She said that we need to use our platform of entitlement as white people to make history right Brittany Walley spoke as a representative of the Nipmuc and as a member of anti mascot initiative. She spoke in favor of the measure. She discussed the history of columbus and his acts of murder of the Taino and the Arowak peoples. She spoke to Easthampton as the ancestral land of the Nipmuc, and changing the holiday is an opportunity to be on the right side of history. Chris and Morgan Lemmer Webber, Eathampton residents stated they support the proposal Nicole Colero 10 Arlington St Easthampton Voiced support Sagamore Faries Gray of the Massachusett tribe spoke. He discussed the importance of recognizing indigenous peoples day and removing columbus day. He spoke of the atrocities committed by columbus, and that much of the education in schools is lacking the true history. He stated it would be epic to replace columbus day which puts a murderer on a pedestal. It is not rewriting history, it is making it accurate. Councilor Derby spoke about his experience as a member of a Massachusetts tribe and stated he supported the measure Reina Oduro member of the Taino tribe. Westen mass is the heart of the Nipmuc. Stated the Carribean was the landing place of columbus and that the result was genocide and that she wants children to learn the truth in school. She was in support The resolution was read through with input on additional wording. Recommendation was made to put the tribes first in recognition at the end. Also to discuss honoring the placed and names used locally that are of indigenous origin. Make sure that culture and names are appreciated but nor appropriated On motion from councilor Zaret and second coucilor Peake the committee voted 3-0 to set a public hearing at the March 3rd meeting. Meeting adjourned 3-0 Next meeting 2/10/2021