The scent of burning sage filled the cold night air Monday night in front of the rock on Farm Lane.
The smoke, used for purification, wafted over the nearly 200 people who gathered with the North American Indian Student Organization to observe Indigenous People’s Day. The holiday is celebrated each year by Native Americans in protest of the federal observance of Columbus Day.
International relations and German senior Darren Kroenke, a NAISO co-chairman, said commemorating Christopher Columbus’ arrival to the Americas in 1492 is similar to celebrating the Holocaust.
“Celebrating Columbus Day would be the equivalent to the Jewish community of celebrating the day that the Nazi party came to power in Germany,” said Kroenke, who is a member of the Eeyamm Quittoowauconnuck nation.
Kroenke, and others who attended the event, blame Columbus for the “genocide and acculturation” of millions of Native Americans.
Those who attended the gathering at the rock listened to various speakers throughout the night. Stoney Polman, a psychiatric and brain injury specialist for the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities, described her experience of being a Native American in the military.
Polman, a Minnesota Ojibwe, also addressed Native American students by stressing the importance of looking at history critically and using information to benefit future generations.
“We were supposed to fade away, but thanks to you, we’re still here,” she said. “You have a responsibility to education. Never let education take away from you. You’re here to gain, not to give up.”
Odawa tribe elder Joan Webkamigad, a Lansing resident, expressed the necessity of teaching children about the history of their ancestors.
“We are in need of keeping this knowledge going,” Webkamigad said. “We can’t let anyone forget what happened. We have to keep this knowledge in our hearts, in our minds and make sure that future generations hear that message.”
The Blue Lake Singers sang while beating a drum, which represented the heartbeat of the community in Native American culture. Dozens danced in a circle while the group performed.
Later, the crowd marched from Auditorium Road to West Circle Drive and continued until reaching the statue of Sparty.
The night’s event was part of an all-day commemoration. A crowd of nearly 100 students, faculty, staff and community members held a forum in front of the Administration Building at noon to voice their concerns about Columbus Day.
Many students carried large signs that read “Discover the ‘Real World!’ Columbus is not a hero” and “Columbus Murdered, Mutilated, Raped My Ancestors and Took Part of My Soul.”
Resource development senior Nathan Lambertson, a State News columnist, said the day’s protest was not against a specific group of people, but rather the implications of glorifying Columbus.
“You can’t change history,” said Lambertson, a member of the Ojibwe nation.
“We aren’t angry at the people that are here today. We’re always taught to accept and welcome others. What we’re protesting is the idea and the premise that a rapist and a murderer gets his own holiday.”
The group was hoping to educate students like Lindsay Treharne, who haven’t given much thought to Columbus Day. The elementary education senior described the holiday as “just another day” to her.
She said more should be done to increase awareness about the observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
“I need to be more educated about the subject, because I knew nothing about it,” she said. “Maybe there should be more focus on educating people about it in the classrooms.”
Shay Wares, an interdisciplinary studies in social studies and human resources senior, used readings of her original poetry in front of the crowd at the Administration Building to educate people. She fought back tears while talking about “500 years of trails and tears.”
Members of the audience also approached the open microphone to speak about what Columbus Day means to them.
MSU President M. Peter McPherson applauded the students for standing beside their convictions.
“There are various views about Columbus and for students to express their objections is appropriate,” McPherson told The State News on Monday afternoon.
In closing what he called a “Solemn day of remembrance,” Kroenke said Native Americans will continue to take a stand for their culture.
“We are strong and we will not disappear,” he said. “We will not fade into the sunset.”
Sheena Harrison can be reached at harri188@msu.edu.
