The Prince George’s County Council and County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, recognizing the history, culture, and accomplishments of Native Americans and indigenous persons in Prince George’s County and across the nation, encourage all County residents to join in celebrating “Native American Day” in Prince George’s County for the first time on Monday, October 12,  2020.

Council Bill-008-2019, adopted unanimously by the County Council in September 2019, renamed Columbus Day to Native American Day in Prince George’s County.  The legislation, proposed by At-Large Council Member Mel Franklin, honors the sacrifices and contributions of Native Americans and ensures that this national holiday, as it is recognized in Prince George’s County, accurately reflects our fuller story. 

There is considerable archaeological evidence that Prince George’s County was occupied by Native Americans along the Patuxent and Potomac Rivers for thousands of years before the first Europeans arrived.  Examples include the Piscataway Park Archaeological Site; Nottingham Archaeological Site; and the Accokeek Creek Site, believed to be home to the Accokeek, an Algonquian-language tribe related to the Piscataway living in Southern Maryland along the Potomac River at the time of English colonization. 

Council Chair Todd M. Turner (D) – District 4, says the change to Native American Day ensures the contributions of our County’s native and indigenous people is preserved and appropriately recognized. 

 “The native and indigenous people of Prince George's County and the United States have significantly contributed to history, culture and progress of our County and our Country, and it is important for history to properly reflect their contributions. The Council hopes that this recognition serves as a springboard to even greater progress and we encourage residents to join us in celebrating the culture and traditions of our country’s ‘First Americans’.”

“We are Prince George’s Proud to recognize and celebrate the County’s first-ever Native American Day on October 12,” said County Executive Alsobrooks. “Prince George’s County is an inclusive County that celebrates our rich diversity and history, and we hope that all Prince Georgians will join us in honoring the important contributions of native and indigenous people to our County, State and nation.” 

Native American Day will be celebrated as a holiday in Prince George’s County each October on the second Monday.