Dear John,

“Columbus Day” is a difficult date for our Native American brothers and sisters, not just in Montana but across the nation.

Over the past decade more than 130 American cities have renamed today Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Native American Day. In the State Legislature I proudly supported a bill that would do the same in Montana. Unfortunately, after passing the House, it was killed by Republicans before it could be brought to a final vote. I guess they still believe Christopher Columbus is a hero.

I think my friend and colleague who carried this bill, state Representative Shane Morigeau, said it best, "For people in this state, especially when we have over 7 percent of Indian population in this state. Columbus and what he means to Indigenous people and what he did to indigenous people. It's not who we are in Montana."

Today, we celebrate Indigenous People, not Christopher Columbus.

Tom Winter

CONTRIBUTE ➛

Rep. Tom Winter proudly represents Montana’s 96th district in the State House. In 2018, Tom flipped his state house seat from Red to Blue in a Trump +10 district by talking to every voter, regardless of party. As a rising star in the Democratic Party, Tom has been fighting hard in the state house to ensure all Montanans have access to affordable, quality healthcare. Tom is running for Congress in 2020 for Montana’s At Large congressional seat. To learn more click here.