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Columbus Day From a Different Perspective

By Belinda Spillman

Real Estate Agent with Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado CRE# 40005863

October 12, 2015 03:02 AM

Today, the Federal Government and banks celebrate the day Christopher Columbus discovered America. The Italian explorer arrived in the Americas in 1492 which changed the entire fabric of our world for many.

columbus day

Native American Indians are not celebrating the arrival of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. Even though they greeted Columbus graciously as he landed on their shores, it didn’t take long before the hideous acts against the Natives began. What could have been a beneficial union between the Natives and the Europeans turned into something very ugly.

Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon and South Dakota do not recognize Columbus Day at all. Iowa and Nevada do not celebrate Columbus Day as an official holiday but simply recognize the day as requested. Some parts of our country are now celebrating Native American Day and others are celebrating Indigenous People’s Day.

I was never aware of the controversy surrounding Columbus Day until this year. I have been lucky enough to assist many Native Americans realize their dream of home ownership through a specialized government mortgage known as the HUD Section 184 loan in partnership with Garret Duncan (a full blood Navajo Indian) who is a loan officer with ENG Lending.

natives

It has been my pleasure to be exposed to the incredible cultures of the Native community. I love helping many who have spent most of their life on the Reservation finally become a homeowner and thrive in Colorado.

I am happy to be enlightened to the many cultures around me. I also can’t say that I will ever celebrate Columbus Day the same again.

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Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Belinda -- it's a serious topic. It certainly wasn't as widely discussed when I was very young but issues were raised a bit later. Constantly learning brings greater enlightment on this and a number of subjects.

Oct 12, 2015 03:06 AM

Belinda Spillman

Aurora, CO

Belinda Spillman

Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO

Colorado Living!

Funny thing about that MJ. I don't remember anything being taught about the genocide and inhumane acts against the Natives in school.

Oct 12, 2015 03:08 AM

Rob Thomas

Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN

Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Great information Belinda Spillman ....I never really thought about it that way ....Thanks!

Oct 12, 2015 03:09 AM

Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Belinda,

Great information and we all need to learn more. As Americans, we should be aware of the great culture that the Native Americans have and learn from it. A

Oct 12, 2015 03:11 AM

I know Rob. I was enlightened this year and will be forever grateful.

Oct 12, 2015 03:14 AM

A, I agree completely. They survived and thrived even under the worst circumstances.

Oct 12, 2015 03:15 AM

Dick Greenberg

New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO

Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Belinda - Years ago, I worked on economic development projects with several reservations, and I became aware then of the controversy. I've never looked at the holiday the same since.

Oct 12, 2015 04:09 AM

Noah Seidenberg

Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL

Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

I have heard these issues regarding Columbus day Belinda and there are other horrible things that have been done in our history such as the way we stole property from Mexico just because America wanted it and did not care about anything else.

Oct 12, 2015 04:20 AM

John Meussner

Mortgages in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IN, MD, MN, MT, NC, NJ, NV, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI - Fair Oaks, CA

#MortgageMadeEasy Fair Oaks, CA 484-680-4852

Belinda, I'd recommend Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States" or Bartolome de las Casas "The Devastation of the Indies" to learn more about the dark side of the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. It's a complicated matter, but I don't celebrate Columbus Day.

Oct 12, 2015 05:21 AM

Robert Bob Gilbert

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX

Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Belinda, I have to say I like yopu did not know about all these issues with Columbus. Native Americans obviously have gotten a rew deal.

Oct 12, 2015 06:15 AM

Sybil Campbell

Fernandina Beach, FL

Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

It is sad indeed what happened to the native Americans. I actually am a descendant of a Cherokee on my father's side.

Oct 12, 2015 06:20 AM

Thanks for your support guys. It is a strange holiday when you think about all things involved.

Oct 12, 2015 06:21 AM

Sybil, You and I both. My father's mother was a full blood Cherokee. I am proud of that fact.

Oct 12, 2015 06:22 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

It's amazing to me that we still celebrate this day given the history around what we did to the natives of this country.

Oct 12, 2015 09:30 AM

Alan Kirkpatrick

Austin Texas Homes - Round Rock, TX

Alan in Austin

Yes, everyone was closed but me. Went to work at 8am got off at 9:30pm. Long day.

Oct 13, 2015 12:18 AM

Columbus Day From a Different Perspective

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