With the recent announcement that Governor John Bel Edwards took the recommendation of UHN tribal citizen, Baley Champagne of Houma, to acknowledge October 14th as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Louisiana, Ms. Champagne has been working hard to coordinate and plan an event in Houma to raise awareness for this acknowledgement. October 14th is acknowledged historically on the United States Calendar as Columbus Day; however, for many decades native people have been attempting to raise awareness that the whole idea of Columbus “discovering” America is false and a slap in the face to the history of the indigenous people of this land.
Ms. Champagne is asking for everyone to support the event to wear red and post red balloons outside their home and offices in solidarity with the cause. Also at noon at the foot of the Mother Terrebonne statue at the Downtown Houma Memorial Park, she has coordinated a program with participation from the local tribal community to celebrate this victory. The event is open to the public.
