Today is Columbus Day, but in a number of states and cities around the country.

The second Monday in October is also recognized as Indigenous Peoples Day.

It's a celebration recognizing the resilience and contributions of Native Americans.

The Kentucky General Assembly passed resolutions in 2021, recognizing today Kentucky was the fourth state to do so.

Angela Arnett Garner is one of the people most responsible for pushing the General Assembly to take action.

This morning, we talked to her about the significance of today for the state of Kentucky.

We have a lot to be proud of.

We've signed, adopted 36, city, county and statewide proclamations, which is more than any other state since the movement began in the United States in 1992.

Regrettably, it's a persistent myth that Kentucky was a mere hunting ground, and that's just not the case.

There's, a lot of evidence presented by scientists, archeologists.

So on the, proves the Native Americans lived here for at least 12,000 years that we know of.

And they lived and thrived.

They had, trade.

They provided trade routes near and far.

They, they achieved, amazing architectural, and engineering feats.

They race families.

They, had, impressive agricultural practices.

They raised, a lot of crops that were unknown to Europeans at the time before contact, such as corn and beans and squash and even tomatoes were a, North American crop.

And, Cherokee, Shawnees, Checotah Choctaws, Osage and many, many other tribes lived here over the years.

I think it'll eventually become a federal holiday because it's a growing American tradition.

Every year, it appeals to a broad spectrum of people from all walks of life.

You know, people, you know, historians, genealogists, cultural enthusiasts who attend powwows and festivals.

We want to educate our families about, Native American history and culture.