The Daily Bulletin

At its October 14, 2022, meeting, the Buffalo State College Senate voted to adopt the following resolution and forward it to the president for consideration:

Motion to Adopt Resolution to Recognize the Second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day

WHEREAS, in 1977 the International NGO Conference on Discrimination against Indigenous Populations in the Americas began discussing the replacement of Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day; and

WHEREAS, since 1989, more than a dozen states and many local municipalities by legislation or proclamation have recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor their “resilience and strength as well as the immeasurable positive impact that they have made on every aspect of American society;”¹ and

WHEREAS, the Student Assembly of SUNY unanimously passed resolution 1516-115, “Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” on April 16, 2016; and

WHEREAS, the SUNY University Faculty Senate passed Resolution No. 177-01-1, “To Recognize the Second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” on October 21, 2017, requesting that campuses recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day; and

WHEREAS, other SUNY campuses including SUNY Cortland, SUNY ESF, and SUNY Fredonia have recognized the importance of this matter and have created resolutions supporting an “Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” and no longer list Columbus Day on their school calendars; and

WHEREAS, Buffalo State College has adopted a land acknowledgment stating “Buffalo State College would like to start by acknowledging that the college is situated within the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, including the Seneca, Tuscarora, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk nations, and of their Indigenous relations and neighbors, the Erie and the Wenro. We hope to demonstrate respect for the treaties that were made on these territories and we pledge to work toward partnership with a spirit of collaboration with our current Indigenous neighbors, the Seneca and Tuscaroras.”; and

WHEREAS, Buffalo State College has committed to advancing inclusion while confronting and deconstructing discrimination and oppression with recent initiatives including but not limited to the forthcoming establishment of a Social Justice Center; renaming buildings previously named for slave holders; expanding justice, equity, diversity, and inclusive programming; and establishing a social justice student scholarship.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Buffalo State College recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day on the campus calendar and in other communications.

¹ Joseph R. Biden (October 8, 2021) “A Proclamation on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, 2021.” The White House.

I hereby accept the recommendation of the College Senate and authorize the provost, the interim vice president for finance, and the chief of staff to make the necessary updates to all versions of the campus calendar and to communications throughout the university effective with the next opportunity to update the calendar.