Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte on May 9 signed Senate Bill 224 into law, making Indigenous Peoples Day an official state holiday, alongside Columbus Day, on the second Monday in October.
Sen. Shane Morigeau, D-Missoula, the bill’s sponsor, said the bill’s passage is “good for Montana.”
“This is about learning from one another and bringing each other together,” he told Montana Free Press. “It’s something we can take pride in. … We’re going to have a day where we can empower our youth and future generations in a positive way.”