In recent years, some states, including Vermont and Maine, have switched to Indigenous Peoples Day amid debate over Columbus' treatment of indigenous peoples after his arrival in what would become the Americas in 1492. Massachusetts largely did not follow suit because of opposition from some Italian-American groups.

Bills that would make the holiday Indigenous Peoples Day failed in previous sessions. Most recently, two related bills introduced in the House and Senate received support in committee but ultimately failed to pass a vote before the formal session ended in July.

The bills would require the governor to issue a proclamation declaring the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day, according to the legislature's website. It recommends that schools and other groups recognize this “histories of genocide and discrimination against indigenous peoples, and to recognize and celebrate thriving cultures and ongoing resistance and resilience.”

Lawmakers can still pass items in an informal session until the end of the legislative session, but that is difficult because an objection from a single lawmaker can derail a bill. State Representative Jeffrey Turco, a Democrat from Winthrop, said he would oppose any attempt to pass legislation creating a statewide Indigenous Peoples Day during an informal session, calling the move “an anti-Italian effort.”

“You can celebrate the contributions of indigenous peoples without diminishing the contributions of Italian Americans,” he said in an interview.

Gov. Maura Healey has indicated she supports changing the holiday. In a social media post last year, she said, “On Indigenous Peoples Day, we celebrate the cultures, traditions and resilience of Indigenous communities across Massachusetts and our country.” We also confront America's painful legacy of violence, displacement and Assimilation. Together we must continue our work to right centuries-old injustices.”

For some indigenous people groups, this is not enough.

“The Massachusetts Legislature and the governor have not set these priorities,” said Mahtowin Munro, a co-chair of the United American Indians of New England.

Munro, who has worked on many campaigns in Massachusetts for Indigenous Peoples Day, said Columbus Day celebrates the “discovery” of a land that was already settled and thriving, as well as expeditions that brought suffering to indigenous peoples.

“No one invited him and we didn’t want to be discovered, I assure you,” she said.

Some communities try to do both by calling the holiday both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day. Munro said that doesn't work.

“It would try to celebrate Robert E. Lee’s (birthday) on June 19,” she said.

Kevin Caira, former president of the Sons and Daughters of Italy in Massachusetts, said there should be a way for both cultures to celebrate their heritage without eliminating Columbus Day.

“Columbus has always been the historical figure that Italians associated with the immigration movement,” he said.

Caira, second vice president of the national association Sons and Daughters of Italy, said the day is intended to honor the contributions of Italian immigrants and Italian Americans. He noted that October is Italian American Heritage Month.

“People try to turn a 15th-century person into a 21st-century person, and that’s really not how it works,” he said.

There is an ongoing debate locally about images of Columbus and indigenous peoples. In the North End, a statue of the Italian sailor in a public park was beheaded several times. The city removed it and gave it to the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic brotherhood, which displays it in the old Italian Quarter.

In 2021, Boston replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day after incumbent Mayor Kim Janey signed an executive order declaring the change.

Every few years there is a discussion about changing the state seal, which predominantly uses the image of a Native American and a floating arm holding a sword above his head.

A bill banning high schools from using local characters as mascots also failed this year.

The number of The number of communities switching to Indigenous Peoples Day continues to increase. Lexington celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day for the first time on Monday.

“People are being a little more open about the true story and showing that it’s not taught in schools.” said Stephanie Stonefish Ryan of the group Native Americans in Lexington, which helped organize the celebration. “And people are learning more about slavery and genocide.”

The Lexington Historical Society, best known for historic preservation of the Battle of Lexington and Concord in the Revolutionary War, said it is committed to creating a better understanding of the land and cultures that shape Lexington.

Steven Peter of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe said some museums across Massachusetts and beyond have reached out to discuss how they could make their 250th anniversary events more representative of Indigenous history. Schools have also reported.

“As a natural consequence of this, you see a growing number of people who want to increase the presence and awareness of Indigenous peoples in this history, as well as our position as contemporary people today,” he said.

Sean Cotter can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @cotterreporter. Izzy Bryars can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @izzybryars.