Joining the ranks of just a handful of other states, Wisconsin will observe every second Monday of October, when Christopher Columbus Day is typically recognized, as Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Democratic Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order decreeing the second Monday of October Indigenous Peoples' Day in the state. The Hill reports the first-term governor held a public signing at the Indian Community School in Franklin, Wisconsin, on Tuesday to commemorate the occasion.

“Through this executive order, we recognize and appreciate our tribal nations and Indigenous people and their resilience, wisdom, and the contributions they make to our state,” said Evers in a statement. “Native Americans in Wisconsin and throughout our country have suffered unjust treatment — often at the hands of our government — and today is about recognizing that Wisconsin would not be all that it is without Indigenous people.”

Wisconsin is now one several states to ditch Columbus Day to recognize the nation's native people. Vermont, Maine, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Minnesota, Alaska, Oregon and North Carolina are among a list of states and cities which have adopted Indigenous Peoples' Day within the last five years.  

Renaming Columbus Day is only the beginning. According to The Cap Times, the state will commit to teaching students about native history — in particular, the violent interactions with Europeans. The executive order additionally calls for student engagement on a statewide level.

Although the order does not disavow Columbus Day entirely, the renaming essentially calls out the insensitivity of the day. Columbus Day has been recognized on the federal level since 1937. However, over the past 30 years, the popularity of the day has slowly decreased as awareness around Columbus' true legacy of genocide increases. 

“Today, we seek to recognize and honor our state’s Indigenous communities while moving beyond a dated practice that perpetuates inaccurate teachings and honors genocide,” Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes said in a press release Tuesday. “The story of Wisconsin’s Indigenous people has long been one of resistance and resilience. In the coming years, our administration will work to ensure that story evolves into one that includes respect and justice.”