The first Columbus Day parade took place in Denver, Colorado in 1906; since then, the designation of an official holiday in honor of Christopher Columbus has become a contentious subject in Denver, and across the United States and the Americas. The documentary by Diné/Navajo filmmaker Bennie Klain, examines the history and presence of the Columbus Day parade in Denver and what it means to members of the Italian American and Indigenous communities. Klain’s film challenges viewers to question what is the lasting impact of a holiday named after Columbus? Are national holidays a sufficient way of acknowledging and honoring the histories and contributions of multiple ethnicities and cultures in the U.S.?
A brief talk on the cultural context of this holiday, its relevance for New Yorkers and Q&A session will follow the film screening featuring the New York State Museum’s Curator of Ethnography, Gwendolyn Saul.
