Concerns were raised by Indigenous leaders over former President Donald Trump’s choice of U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate, citing Vance’s views towards Indian Country.
Vance has referred to Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a “fake holiday” and publicly praised Columbus, raising questions about his stance on issues related to Indigenous communities.
These controversial social media comments were made prior to Vance being sworn in as a U.S. senator from Ohio in 2023.
In one post, Vance dismissed Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a divisive creation while also celebrating Columbus Day for the explorer’s achievements.
He also questioned the term “two-spirit” in a separate post, showing a lack of awareness and understanding of Indigenous identities.
After the announcement of Vance as Trump’s vice presidential nominee, concerns were expressed by leaders at the Urban Native Collective over his controversial remarks.
President Biden’s proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2021 marked a significant shift in acknowledging and honoring Native American contributions and resilience.
In a separate proclamation on Columbus Day, Biden acknowledged the harmful impact of Columbus and other European explorers on Native populations.
Vance’s stance on Native American issues remains unclear, despite his opposition to renaming historical sites requested by tribal leaders.
In his role as a U.S. Senator, Vance has supported maintaining the current name of Ohio’s Wayne National Forest, which has been a point of contention among tribes and local communities.
