Long Island Schools Considering Replacing Columbus Day With 'Indigenous People's Day'

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The youth of Shinnecock Indian Nation are pushing for schools to change Columbus Day on educational calendars in Southampton.

Shinnecock Indian Nation Chairman Bryan Polite said he is proud of the young people who have spoken up saying they do not believe Columbus Day should be on the calendars in the school district. They are calling for the day to be changed to Indigenous People's Day.

"And this is not just something that the Shinnecock Nation is pursuing, this has been happening all over the country. People who were here first, you can't discover something that's already been inhabited and also not to idolize a man who committed mass genocide," Polite told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.

The school district's spokesperson said a vote on the issue will take place in August after getting input from the community. Right now they have decided to have a generic school calendar that just shows which days the school is closed.