“This is a symbolism of the energy and the resilient spirit of so many people,” Moroni Benally said after the Library Square event concluded. “There were moments that were emotional for me because we are finally recognizing what had happened to our people. I‘m happy about that.”
Benally, of the Utah League of Native American Voters, told the crowd of about 100 people in his opening remarks that because of the new holiday, future generations will “know the right version of history, and they will recognize where [Christopher] Columbus actually stands in relation to all of that.”
Moore, who participated in four of the five traditional dances at the event, explained the dances’ meanings to the crowd.