Columbus Park renamed Indigenous Peoples' Park; 'Their history should be preserved and recognized'

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – In Wisconsin on Monday, Oct. 14 it’s both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. State, county, and city leaders honored the day with a special designation; Columbus Park -- near 74th and Courtland Avenue -- was renamed “Indigenous Peoples Park.”

Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates and honors Native American people. Last week, Gov. Tony Evers signed an executive order establishing the second Monday of October, as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” in the State of Wisconsin.

In Milwaukee County, the second Monday of October has been Indigenous Peoples’ Day since a county resolution was passed in 2016.

Monday’s renaming ceremony was hosted and led by students from Indian Community School, who helped get Indigenous Peoples’ Day recognized on the local and state level.

Milwaukee Alderman Cavalier Johnson said it’s not about ignoring Columbus Day, but showing another important side of history.

"Sadly too, the carnage of the people in these lands due to Columbus' and folks that came after him. All the carnage that they suffered is a direct result of that too. Those are things you can never forget but what we can do is understand that there were people that were here before and their rights and their history should be preserved and recognized as well,” said Alderman Johnson.

Potawatomi Hotel & Casino will also be planting more trees in the park.