REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion's Recommendation on the Observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
In recent years, the City of Santa Clara (City) has received several resident inquiries regarding the City's observance of Columbus Day, most of which have urged the City Council (Council) to observe Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of Columbus Day. In an effort to inform the decision-making process, the Task Force on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (Task Force) was asked to conduct a review of this issue and submit a recommendation to the full Council.
Consistent with the Task Force's mission statement to involve the community when developing recommendations for changes in government policies, structures, services, and culture that negatively impact or do not fully benefit historically disenfranchised communities, the Task Force worked with staff to develop a community survey to gather public input on the City's observance of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day.
At its October 29, 2020 Task Force meeting, the Task Force voted to form a subcommittee ("Considerations of Historical Recognitions Subcommittee") to work with City staff to conduct research related to the renaming of Columbus Day, develop a community survey that respectfully considered the historical significance of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day, and identify methods for engaging the public.
At the November 9, 2020 Task Force meeting, former Chair Darius Brown reported that the subcommittee would be reaching out to Native American organizations in Santa Clara County for feedback on the draft survey. Staff presented the draft survey to the Task Force for input at their February 25, 2021 meeting. At the April 12, 2021 Task Force meeting, the Task Force approved the Observance of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day survey and directed staff to mo...
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