Indigenous People's Day Joins Columbus Day In North Andover

NORTH ANDOVER, MA -- The North Andover Board of Selectmen voted last week proclaim the second Monday in October -- the same day recognized as Columbus Day by the federal government -- Indigenous People's Day. The request was brought by North Andover resident Helen Pickard said the proclamation would be starting point for a conversation about the towns history.

"By 1676, 90 percent of the Pennacook people in the Merrimack Valley had died from exposure to European diseases," Pickard said according to the Eagle Tribune, which first reported this story. "I ask that you make this proclamation to shine a light on part of our story that often goes untold."

Unlike other communities in Massachusetts that have replaced the observance of Columbus Day with Indigenous People's Day, North Andover selectmen voted to observe both holidays simultaneously.

For more on this story, see the Eagle Tribune. Subscribe to North Andover Patch for more local news and real-time alerts.

Patch file photo.