Cleveland Schools Honor Indigenous Peoples Despite Federal Shift Back to Columbus Day

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — The Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District took a public stand this week, reaffirming its commitment to honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day, even as former President Donald Trump reinstated Columbus Day as the sole national observance. The district shared a message stating, “Today, we honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We recognize and celebrate the cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous peoples, past, present, and future.”

The post quickly sparked debate among community members. One commenter wrote, “It’s Columbus Day,” while another responded, “Columbus not only got lost but was incredibly abusive to Indigenous people. Not really a person to celebrate.” Several others echoed support for the district’s message with remarks such as “Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day” and “Better to celebrate those who were here first, rather than remember a racist, murdering slaver that got lost.”

Others, however, defended the traditional holiday. One user commented, “Happy Columbus Day,” while another added, “Reality still exists despite your best efforts to ignore it.” The discussion became heated, with dozens of replies reflecting the same broader cultural divide playing out across the country.

In April 2025, Trump announced he would no longer recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day alongside Columbus Day, stating he was “bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes” and referring to Christopher Columbus as “the original American hero.” His move rolled back the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day that began under the Biden administration, which had treated the second Monday in October as a shared observance honoring both Columbus and Indigenous peoples.

The shift toward Indigenous Peoples’ Day began decades earlier. Berkeley, California, first adopted the name in 1992 to recognize Native nations and their ongoing contributions. Over time, many states and cities replaced or supplemented Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, citing the historical violence and exploitation associated with European colonization. Critics of Columbus argue that his actions led to the enslavement, displacement, and deaths of Indigenous peoples across the Americas.

Although Trump cannot unilaterally alter federal holidays, his proclamation redirected federal acknowledgment toward Columbus. Columbus Day has been a federal holiday since 1937, but the way it is observed has varied widely. Only about 20 states currently close state offices for the day, while others have rebranded the date or treat it as a regular workday.

On Monday, many Ohio schools, including Cleveland Heights-University Heights, remained open despite the federal holiday. The decision to hold classes was made before Trump’s change, but the district’s public statement reflected its continuing alignment with Indigenous recognition. Nearby communities such as Columbus have taken similar steps in recent years, removing statues of Columbus and renaming public spaces to honor more inclusive histories.

The controversy over which name to use (Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day) remains a flashpoint across the country. Some see Columbus as a symbol of Italian-American pride and exploration, while others view him as emblematic of colonization and oppression. For many educators, the focus has shifted toward using the day as a teaching opportunity about Indigenous resilience, culture, and contributions that continue today.

One Cleveland Heights commenter summed up the local sentiment: “Better to celebrate those who were here first, rather than remember a racist, murdering slaver that got lost.”

The remark reflects the growing number of schools and communities choosing solidarity with Indigenous peoples rather than glorifying a controversial historical figure.

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