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Dear Friends,

Today, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a national holiday for the first time due to President Biden's declaration last week. Last year, Harris County and Houston also declared the second Monday of October Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

While today is a start, holidays will not alone remedy the deep inequalities in our society.

 
Holidays will not narrow the wealth gap for Native Americans, who have a poverty rate three times higher than White households, nor will they protect Native women, who are murdered at more than ten times the national average. And holidays will not undo the genocide and oppression of indigenous peoples for hundreds of years.

This country has a long history of oppression, displacement, and eradication of peoples based on their cultures, how they look, what language they speak, and what religion they practice. The genocide of Native Americans and the colonization of their land is part of our collective history, and is an accurate telling of history.

Today's holiday allows us to pause to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of Indigenous Peoples.

We must all keep fighting to bring dignity and equity to those wronged by systems of racism in this country. I stand united with those who choose to move forward together with a greater understanding of what makes us Americans, and celebrate the rich history and culture of us all.

Sincerely,




Rodney Ellis


 
Harris County Precinct One
Downtown Office
1001 Preston, 9th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
713-274-1000
 
 
 
 


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