Whereas, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Lawrence, KS, Portland, OR, St. Paul, MN , Bexar County, TX, Anadarko, OK, Olympia, WA, Alpena, MI have all recently recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day; and

Whereas, "Indigenous Peoples Day" reimagines Columbus Day and changes a celebration of colonialism into an opportunity to reveal historical truths about the genocide and oppression of indigenous peoples in the Americas, to organize against current injustices, and to celebrate indigenous resistance.

WHEREAS, representative body of ASUCI recognizes that the Indigenous Peoples of the lands that would later become known as the Americas have occupied these lands since time immemorial; and

WHEREAS, representative body of ASUCI recognizes the fact that UC Irvine is built upon the homelands and villages of the Indigenous Peoples of this region, the Acjachemen; and

WHEREAS, the representative body of ASUCI has a responsibility to oppose the systematic racism towards Indigenous people in the United States, which perpetuates high rates of poverty and income inequality, exacerbating disproportionate health, education, and social crises; and

WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples' Day was first proposed in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations-sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; and

WHEREAS, in 2011 the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, representing 59 Tribes from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Northern California, Western Montana and some Alaskan Tribes, passed resolution #11-57 to "Support to Change Columbus Day (2nd Monday of October) to Indigenous Peoples' Day"; and

NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY the representative body of ASUCI that the student government of UC Irvine recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ Day and does the following:

1. The representative body of ASUCI strongly supports the proposition that Indigenous Peoples' Day shall be an opportunity to celebrate the thriving cultures and values of the Indigenous Peoples of our region.

2. The representative body of ASUCI strongly encourages California Public Schools to include the teaching of indigenous people's history

3 The representative body of ASUCI encourages other businesses, organizations, and public institutions to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day.

4. The representative body of ASUCI firmly commits to continue its efforts to promote the well-being and growth of California's American Indian and Indigenous community.

Resolved, That the Associated Students of the University of California, Irvine (ASUCI) Legislative Council retroactively recognizes October 12th, 2015 as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day;” and

Resolved, That the ASUCI Legislative Council, unless and until it expresses a contrary position, ceases to recognize the second Monday in October as “Columbus Day;” and

Resolved, That the ASUCI Legislative Council shall, unless and until it expresses a contrary position, continue to recognize the second Monday in October as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day;” and

Resolved, That the ASUCI Legislative Council encourages the student government associations of University of California (UC), Berkeley; UC, Davis; UC, LA; UC, Merced; UC, Riverside; UC, San Diego; UC, San Francisco; UC, Santa Barbara; and UC, Santa Cruz to adopt similar positions; and

Resolved, That the ASUCI Legislative Council encourages other organizations that ASUCI is a member of, partners with, or plans to work with in the future, including, but not limited to: the University of California Student Association (UCSA), the United States Student Association (USSA), the California State Student Association (CSSA), the Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC), and SSCCC Region VIII to adopt similar positions; and

Resolved, That the ASUCI Legislative Council requests that the ASUCI Office of the Executive Vice President, and other current and future entities within ASUCI engaged in lobbying, advocate on the state and federal levels for the holiday designated as “Columbus Day” to be eliminated or renamed “Indigenous Peoples’ Day;” and

Resolved, That the ASUCI Legislative Council encourages its members, the other members of ASUCI, and the UCI student body to educate themselves regarding the systematic oppression and the continued struggles of indigenous and first peoples around the world; and

Resolved, That the ASUCI Legislative Council recommits, and requests the other branches of ASUCI to likewise recommit, to addressing the needs and concerns of current and potential indigenous students at UCI.