Arts & Entertainment
What’s in a name
Published
4 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersThe controversy of Columbus Day
By Jessianne Castle EBS STAFF
BOZEMAN – On the second Monday of October, some Bozemanites will join hands for a celebratory round dance. Others, schoolchildren mostly, will sit at their desks and talk about the day’s historical significance. Federal employees will have the day off, while many other residents of Gallatin County will go through their day—life as usual.
Oct. 14 is a national holiday, known federally as Columbus Day. It’s a day to observe the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas on Oct. 12, 1492, which initiated European colonization throughout South and North America.
But many indigenous tribes decry the celebration of what led to mass removals and violence inflicted on their ancestors, with the aftershocks still felt, in many instances.
“We should not be celebrating Columbus Day at all,” said Francesca Pine Rodrigez, a Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribal member and board member of Indigenous Peoples’ Day Montana. “The reason why we are celebrating Columbus Day—we, as a country—is based on total fantasy.”
Pointing to a colorful map of historic tribal territories prior to Euro-American colonization, she said the West was not vacant land. “It was really a recipe for disaster when the settlers came because they were basically brought and sold on a lie,” she said.
Advocates for Indigenous Peoples’ Day Montana began campaigning three years ago to have Columbus Day replaced with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. So far, the effort—which launched in Bozeman—has been recognized at Montana State University and within the Bozeman Public Schools. Additionally, the city of Harlem located near the Fort Belknap Reservation recently voted to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, joining the cities of Bozeman, Missoula and Helena.
In Big Sky, the school district still recognizes Oct. 14 as Columbus Day, though it isn’t considered a school holiday and students are required to attend class. For the most part, on Columbus Day specifically, it’s class as usual for Big Sky students
“Like other major events in history, I take the time to bring it up in my class, kind of like 9-11,” said Tony Coppola, the district’s high school social studies teacher “We talk about the two sides, the traditional western holiday—Columbus Day—and Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”
Coppola added that over the course of the school year, his 9th graders discuss Montana-specific tribal perspectives in their Montana history class.
According to Superintendent Dustin Shipman, the district doesn’t have a prescribed curriculum pertaining to Columbus Day. Students learn about Columbus in social studies classes within the context of the larger course curriculum rather than just talking about Columbus on Columbus Day. “We don’t only talk about Civil Rights on MLK Day” he added. “For us it’s about helping the kids understand those conceptual things.”
Brian Squillace, the 6th and 7th grade history and math teacher, said his class will learn about Columbus and other explorers later in the school year when they discuss European exploration and the Columbian Exchange.”
At Montana State University, classes are in session on Oct. 14, but the school is hosting a number of events throughout the month to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
At noon on Monday, Oct. 14, the school will hold a traditional round dance celebrating all indigenous peoples. The Bobcat Singers will drum for the round dance, which has become an annual event. Prior to the dance, there will be a walk honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Following the dance, at 7:30 p.m., a free screening of the film “In the Spirit of Atatíc̓e: The true story of the National Bison Range” by local filmmaker Daniel Glick will be held in the Rialto Theater.
To conclude the celebrations, artist Ben Pease of the Northern Cheyenne and Crow tribes, a former MSU student, will speak at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Museum of the Rockies.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm