AN ACT to amend and reenact section 1-03-13 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to changing the name of First Nations Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.
Summary
HB 1545 amends North Dakota Century Code section 1-03-13 to rename the state-recognized observance currently called First Nations Day as Indigenous Peoples Day. The bill keeps the same annual observance date: the Friday before the second Monday in October. It also retains the existing purpose of the day, which is to recognize the indigenous peoples of North Dakota and their contributions to the state and the United States.
Substantively, the bill is a naming change rather than a change in the date, observance structure, or legal obligations tied to the proclamation. Under the amended statute, the governor must continue to issue an annual proclamation designating the day, but the title used in the law and proclamation is updated to reflect the new name. The bill therefore affects state holiday/observance law and the official terminology used in North Dakota statutes and executive proclamations.
Impact
The bill amends section 1-03-13 of the North Dakota Century Code, replacing references to First Nations Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. Its legal effect is limited to the official name of the state observance; it does not create a new holiday, alter the date, or change any rights, duties, or benefits for state employees or the public. The primary affected parties are the governor, who issues the annual proclamation, and Indigenous communities and organizations that may use the updated statutory name in public recognition and advocacy.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support and little visible opposition. It passed the House 88-1 and the Senate 46-0, indicating strong bipartisan or near-unanimous approval in both chambers. The absence of committee transcript material suggests there was no recorded major controversy in the available materials, and the vote totals point to a generally favorable sentiment toward the renaming.
Contention
The only apparent point of contention is the choice of terminology: changing the observance from First Nations Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. That kind of naming change can carry cultural and political significance, especially in how the state chooses to recognize Native communities. However, the overwhelming vote margins suggest any disagreement was limited, and no specific objections or competing viewpoints are documented in the provided materials.