Dear Dr. Petrone, (Superintendent of Coventry (CT) Public Schools)

I noticed on the various sign boards around town, and then confirmed on the website, that Coventry, CT public schools will be closed for 'school break' on October 11th and 14th. This makes for a nice long weekend, for sure, but it leaves me wondering about the wording and messaging of the day. 

As you know, the federal holiday continues to recognize Columbus Day on the second Monday of October. Many communities in the Northeast, including Manchester, CT, have begun to refer to the day as Indigenous Peoples' Day. This is an effort to uplift the Native Americans who lived and hunted on this land before the conquest by Columbus and the Europeans. It is an intentional choice to highlight the rich, cultural heritage of the Native Americans, in Coventry, the Nipmuc, the Pequot, and the Mohegan, and denounce the genocide of native peoples by white Europeans. 

You may also know that in Coventry, CT, the Nipmuc once hunted on this land, and they are credited for naming Coventry Lake, Wangumbaug Lake, which means Crooked Pond in the Algonquin Language. You may also know that Joseph, son of Uncas, of the Mohegan Tribe, deeded the land, now known as Coventry, in 1712, to white settlers. This rich history is necessary for the youth to learn and carry forward, as well as for adult residents to realize the history of the land where indigenous folx once thrived. 

The omission of Coventry (CT) Public Schools to not explicitly name the second Monday in October as Indigenous People's Day, but instead relegate it to an ambiguous 'school break' upholds whiteness and white supremacy. Not referring to Columbus is not enough; denouncing the murder and rape wielded by Columbus and his counterparts, is the only way we will heal as a people, and begin to atone for the sins of our white ancestors. We must officially and explicitly rename the holiday as Indigenous Peoples' Day. 

This is just the beginning. We must also offer learning opportunities for our students, a predominantly white community, to learn and understand the significance of the indigenous peoples who resided on this land we live and all the land across this continent. It is especially important for our white students to learn because we want to prepare them and send them forward with knowledge and empathy. 

I implore that the Coventry Board of Education adds this issue to the next agenda for a thorough and inclusive discussion. It would be fitting to add it to this Thursday, October 10, 2024, agenda. Please confirm receipt of this email. I'm happy to also receive any information or discussion that has already taken place related to this decision to name the holiday as 'school break' instead of the aforementioned holiday names. 

Thank you for receiving my email and I look forward to hearing from you.