An open forum hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Superior First Nations Center, intended as an alternative to the Columbus Day holiday, was held in the Yellowjacket Union Atrium on Tuesday afternoon Oct. 12. 

About 20 people were in attendance to listen to a speech and forum about the impact of Columbus on the Americas’ indigenous population. A Native American drum and honor songs were played both for those natives who died because of Columbus’ actions as well as those who continue to fight. Several YouTube videos were also shown that detailed in graphic fashion many of the atrocities caused by European explorers and settlers.

“I’m not saying to tear everything down; I’m just trying to set the record straight,” said First Nations director Gary Johnson, the host and speaker of the event. 

Following his speech, he opened the floor to questions and comments. Residence Life Assistant Director Mickey Fitch recalled an incident in Chicago’s Columbus Day parade one year where her marching band was attacked by protesters. 

“They started hitting us with picketing sticks and stuff,” she recalled, and she says she soon learned the reason for these protesters’ anger.

The statistics in one YouTube video indicate that almost all of the native population in the Americas was exterminated by European settlers and explorers. 

“The largest holocaust in the world decreased the native population by 95percent...up to 100 million were killed,” stated one of the videos.

As for Johnson, he hopes a day will come that he will not have to do this Columbus Day forum anymore, but says he will as long as necessary. Unfortunately, he laments, “The people who need to hear this the most aren’t here.”