Oklahoma City mayor proclaims Oct. 8 Indigenous Peoples’ Day

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt has proclaimed Oct. 8 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, adding the city to dozens around the nation that acknowledge Native Americans on the day known nationally as Columbus Day.

At least three Oklahoma cities, Tulsa, Norman and Tahlequah already recognize the day, but efforts to do the same in Oklahoma City have failed.

Holt, who is a member of the Osage Nation, wrote that arguments over whether to declare an Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the city was unfortunate due to the city’s indigenous population and that other cities have already done so.

The Oklahoma City Council repeatedly turned down requests for the day in recent years. City spokeswoman Kristy Yager says Holt’s proclamation eliminates the need for the issue to go before the council again.