Phoenix makes Indigenous Peoples' Day an official, paid holiday

Mark your calendars: Indigenous Peoples' Day is now an official city holiday in Phoenix.

The City Council approved the holiday, scheduled for the second Monday in October, on a 7-1 vote. Councilman Jim Waring voted no, and Councilwoman Ann O'Brien was absent.

The city formerly recognized the day but this month became the first Valley city to make it an official paid day off. City offices will be closed.

"This is an exciting item that has been many years in the making," Mayor Kate Gallego said, adding that residents first asked the city for the holiday years ago when she was the District 8 councilmember.

Arizona recognizes Columbus Day, not Indigenous Peoples Day, on the second Monday in October. Former Gov. Doug Ducey issued a proclamation celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day in 2020 but never officially replaced Columbus Day.

Tempe opted to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day in 2021, although it is not a paid day off. Flagstaff also passed a resolution recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day, though it's not a paid day off for employees.

Some Valley cities, including Avondale, Goodyear, Peoria, and Chandler, recognize neither holiday.

Phoenix Assistant City Manager Lori Bays said the holiday, as a paid day off, would cost the city $2 million.

Waring voted no, saying he'd prefer to eliminate another city holiday before approving this one to stay revenue neutral. He suggested nixing the day after Thanksgiving, which Phoenix considers a paid day off.

"Basically we're just asking taxpayers to not have the city open for another day and to pay $2 million for the privilege," Waring said.

Reporter Taylor Seely covers Phoenix City Hall for The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com. Reach her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com, by phone at 480-476-6116, or on Twitter @taylorseely95.