Oklahoma combines Native American Day and Columbus Day

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) this week signed legislation that will recognize Native American Day at the same time as Columbus Day, The Associated Press reported.

Stitt signed the bill into law on Thursday, according to the news agency, which noted that a similar measure was vetoed last year by now-former Gov. Mary Fallin (R). 

{mosads}Oklahoma residents will now have the opportunity to celebrate both Columbus Day and Native American Day on the second Monday in October, according to the AP. Native American Day was previously celebrated in the state on the third Monday in November.

“I think moving it to Columbus Day, I don’t see any downside to it at all,” Stitt said, according to the news agency. “It just gives us one opportunity to celebrate Columbus, but also the indigenous people here in America.”

The compromise to recognize both holidays simultaneously comes after the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes passed a resolution urging Stitt to sign off on the bill, the AP reported.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) approved legislation earlier this month that replaces Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, a holiday that celebrates Native Americans.

At least five other states, including Vermont and Hawaii, have also done away with celebrations of Columbus Day.