Gov. Evers declares second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples' Day

FRANKLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Gov. Tony Evers visited the Indian Community School in Franklin Tuesday to sign an executive order declaring an Indigenous Peoples' Day in Wisconsin.

The order recognizes the second Monday in October as a day to honor the traditions and contributions of Native Americans in this state.

"We're celebrating something today that's frankly way, way, long overdue," Evers said.  

The second Monday in October is also the federal Columbus Day holiday.  The governor would not draw any connection.

"I'm here to recognize indigenous people and all they've done for the state of Wisconsin," said Evers. "Recognizing them does no disservice to anyone else, it's just long overdue."

Gov. Evers says the order is about recognizing that Wisconsin would not be all that it is without indigenous people.