Indigenous Peoples' Day: More than 80 attend panel discussion

BEMIDJI -- Bemidji’s first-ever Indigenous Peoples’ Day triggered mixed reactions Monday, from frustration and a protest to cautious optimism.

More than 80 people gathered at BSU on Monday night for a panel discussion in honor of the newly proclaimed holiday. Earlier in the day a group of about 30 gathered near the Chief Shaynowishkung statue near Lake Bemidji to protest the continued existence of Columbus Day.

“There is so much more that we have to learn and so much we’ve come through to get to this point,” said panelist Kathryn Beaulieu, who was joined on the panel by Simone Senogles, food sovereignty program coordinator at the Indigenous Environmental Network; Renee Gurneau, former president of the Red Lake Tribal College; Lisa Bellanger, a board member of the International Indian Treaty Council; and Vivian Delgado, professor of indigenous studies at BSU.

http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/news/local/4133771-indigenous-peoples-day-more-80-attend-panel-discussion