VOL. CXVIII, No. 22
DailyBarometer.com
monDAY, october 12, 2015 Oregon State University
Corvallis does away with Columbus Day
Community to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day instead, recognize Native population Nicki silva | THE DAILY BAROMETER
William Miller (right), Matt Williams (center) and Luhui Whitebear-Cupp (right) all contributed to the effort to bring Indigenous People’s Day to Corvallis. By Riley Youngman
and a member of the Coastal Band Chumash Tribe, is one of the many that Corvallis Mayor Biff Traber is sched- are excited for this change. Whitbear-Cupp’s was one of a small uled to sign an official proclamation today declaring the second monday group that brought this idea forward of October Indigenous People’s Day, in over the summer to the City of Corvallis and was ultimately responsible for the place of Columbus Day. Corvallis has joined five other U.S. switch from Columbus Day. “This is really a national movement to cities that already adopted this new holiday, as well as the state of South move away from Columbus Day and all the negatives that are associated with Dakota Corvallis is joined this year by many that,” Whitebear-Cupp said. William Miller, a senior at Oregon other communities, including Portland, in moving towards a celebration of the State University in political science native indigenous people of America. and a member of the Cherokee and Luhui Whitebear-Cupp, the assis- Blackfoot Tribe, as well as Matt Williams, tant director of the Native American a senior in ethnic studies, worked diliLonghouse Eena Haws Cultural gently with Whitebear-Cupp to bring Resource Center on OSU campus, this vision to life. News Contributor
“Great things come out of casual conversations, and that is exactly what happened,” Miller said. He went on to say the inspiration for this holiday came from looking at those cities that had already adopted Indigenous People’s Day and wondering aloud why Corvallis couldn’t be one. After contacting the Corvallis City Council, Miller was directed to the Kings Legacy Advisory Board who worked with Miller, as well as other prominent figures, to develop a proclamation that was then sent to the Mayor. After weeks of waiting, the three were thrilled when an an email showed up from the Mayor with his approval. Williams, an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe had trouble
comprehending why Columbus Day was celebrated to begin with. “I don’t understand how Columbus day was even established and celebrated in this country,” he said. Williams went on to cite the numerous historical inaccuracies and questionable motives associated with Columbus as the reason for his decision to push for the adoption of Indigenous People’s Day. Even in the primary stages of the process to establish Indigenous People’s Day, Williams felt strongly that this was something that needed to be done. With several different Tribal Councils invited to join the event, those at
See Indigenous, Page 6
Oregon State University adopts Best Buddies program Best Buddies program brought to OSU, encourages positive relationships among students with disabilities By Anna Le News Contributor
victoria pence | THE DAILY BAROMETER
Ocean and atmospheric science professor Roger Nielsen spoke about his experiences at the Oct. 6 Best Buddies introductory meeting.
IN THIS ISSUE >>>
OSU takes on a whole new meaning of ‘making friends’ with Best Buddies, an international program that creates friendships with those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “Best Buddies in the best way to promote inclusion of people with disabilities into society because everyone needs a friend and friendship is the key to happiness,” said CJ Phillips, chapter president of Best Buddies and a junior majoring in kinesiology. Founded by Anthony K. Shriver in 1989, Best Buddies
is a nonprofit organization that works on establishing one-to-one friendship, employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The organization has grown and is now recognized in all of the United States, and over 50 countries around the world. OSU’s chapter of Best Buddies is new this year, and is one out of 1,900 worldwide. The chapter held its first meeting on Oct. 6 and discussed opportunities on being involved and upcoming events. “I started this club because
I have this passion for representing the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities and I’ve had friends in my life that experience a disability and have expressed to me how they wished they had more friends in high school and college,” Phillips said. With partnership with The Arc of Benton County, Best Buddies will be a new opportunity to advocate services to enhance the lives of individuals who are developmentally disabled and their families. Participants provided by The Arc of Benton County are
See Buddies, Page 3
Stormwater runoff kills salmon, NEWS, PAGE 3 What does the Arizona loss mean, SPORTS, PAGE 4 New Morning Bakery hosts writers, A&E, PAGE 7