WHEREAS, Colonization forever changed the environments, cultures, and quality of life for the first inhabitants of this continent; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations during an international conference on discrimination against Indigenous populations in the Americas; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples’ Day reimagines Columbus Day and refocuses a celebration of colonialism into an opportunity to spotlight current injustices as Indigenous Peoples have often been forgotten in the development of our country; and
WHEREAS, Native people are the first inhabitants of the Americas, and the Great Basin is one of the longest continually inhabited regions in North America, and continues to be home to the Paiutes, Shoshones and Washoes; and
WHEREAS, the State of Nevada opposes systemic racism towards Indigenous people because it reinforces poverty, income inequality, disparities in healthcare, and lower education outcomes; and
WHEREAS, Nevada makes concerted efforts to close the equity gap for Indigenous Peoples through policies and practices in consultation with Indigenous People to ensure greater access and opportunity to all essential service; and
WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples’ Day was conceived from our country’s dark past, but allows us to rethink history and recommit to a brighter future which incorporates Indigenous’ values by teaching our youth more accurate and complete narratives which respect Indigenous Peoples and support their struggles for social justice, religious freedom, and all inherent human right; and
WHEREAS, Nevada recognizes the important contributions of Indigenous People in the State of Nevada as all our citizens’ understanding of what it means to be American continues to evolve, and we encourage businesses, organizations, and public institutions to celebrate today as Indigenous Peoples’ Day;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim August 9, 2022, as
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY IN NEVADA