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Board approves ordinance declaring second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples' Day after debate
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted 10–1 to amend the Administrative Code to declare the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples' Day after supervisors considered requests to hold additional outreach tied to recognition of Italian American Heritage.
The Board of Supervisors on Jan. 30 passed an ordinance amending the Administrative Code to declare the second Monday in October to be Indigenous Peoples' Day. The final roll call showed 10 ayes and 1 no (Supervisor Peskin in dissent), and the ordinance was declared finally passed.
The measure drew debate about balancing recognition of Indigenous communities with concerns from Italian American organizations seeking formal recognition of Italian American Heritage Day. Supervisor Peskin moved to send the item back to committee to create additional space for discussion with affected communities; that motion failed on a 2–9 vote. Several supervisors said they would pursue separate drafting requests to recognize Italian American heritage while continuing the Indigenous Peoples' Day ordinance.
Supporters of the Indigenous Peoples' Day ordinance described the change as a formal recognition of long-standing Native presence and contribution to the region. Opponents and some speakers cautioned about potential unintended consequences for other cultural groups and urged concurrent efforts to recognize Italian American heritage through a separate process.
After debate, the board adopted the ordinance on the floor. The Jan. 30 action completes the board’s legislative step to amend the Administrative Code; implementation steps (calendar-year observances and related proclamations) will follow through city administrative processes.
