A Message for Indigenous Peoples’ Resistance Day

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

October twelfth was recognised as Columbus Day in celebration of the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas in 1492.  But the Briceño administration did away with that and replaced it with Indigenous Peoples’ Resistance Day.  The public and bank holiday will be observed on Monday, October tenth, in lieu of the twelfth. Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs issued a statement on the change of name and the nature of the celebration.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs

“October twelfth is a day to not only celebrate, but to recognise the unimaginable struggles and resistance of all our people, especially our indigenous peoples, Garifuna, Mopan, Ketchi and Yucatec against invasion, subjugation and the consequential negative impacts of colonialism. As we recognise this resistance, we must recognise our resilience against all forms of historic injustices. Today, our Garifuna, Mopan, Ketchi and Yucatec sisters and brothers are part of the Belizean family, adding diversity of languages, cultures, knowledge and ways of living. However, the struggles of indigenous people are far from over as we know all too well our indigenous sisters and brothers continue to resist disposition in an era of contemporary and subtler forms of colonialism. They continue to stand in defence of their lands, relationships and ways of life as they have always done.”