To the Editors:

On Aug. 21, 2017, Oberlin City Council passed a resolution declaring the second Monday in October to be Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the city of Oberlin. Thus, Oberlin became the first city in the state of Ohio to abolish Columbus Day. The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee is working to continue to educate the community about all indigenous peoples, and our invitation is extended to Oberlin College.

A series of events have been planned, and our next will take place on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017 at 5:45 p.m. at the Oberlin Public Library. The movie, Tecumseh’s Vision, from the acclaimed PBS history series entitled We Shall Remain: America through Native Eyes will be aired.

This episode tells the story of the Ohio Shawnee leader Tecumseh and his brother, Tenskwatawa, known as the Prophet. In the years following the American Revolution, the Prophet led a spiritual revival movement that drew thousands of followers from tribes across the Midwest. In the course of his brief and meteoric career, Tecumseh became one of the greatest Native American leaders of all time, orchestrating the most ambitious pan-Indian political and military alliance ever mounted on the North American continent. After his death, he would live on as a potent symbol of Native pride and pan-Indian identity. This movie is directed by Ric Burns and Chris Eyre. Please consider coming to this event.

– Jean Foggo Simon
Member, Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee