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Thank you again for supporting the campaign and vo

Thank you again for supporting the campaign and voting yes on question 1 yesterday! This is just the beginning and we hope that you’ll join us in not only celebrating Indigenous Peoples but also supporting and centering Indigenous voices. In the meantime we want you to know that there are many initiatives and activities that are focused on Indigenous Peoples on not only the local level, but also the state level, and your voice is just as important as it ever was.⁠
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One way to engage is to review and contact your elected officials about the MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda. The 2021-2022 MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda includes 5 priorities: Remove Racist Mascots, Honor Indigenous Peoples Day, Celebrate and Teach Native American Culture & History, Protect Native American Heritage, and Support the Education and Futures of Native Youth. You can join these legislative priorities by urging your state legislators to co-sponsor these 5 important bills today! Go to the link in our bio to write a letter to your state representatives about promoting this agenda 🔗 It only takes a few minutes!⁠
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[Image description: A photo of people with white text overtop that reads "MA Indigenous Legislative Agenda". Below is gray text that reads "The 2021-2022 Indigenous Legislative Agenda includes 5 priorities: Remove Racist Mascots, Honor Indigenous People's Day, Celebrate and Teach Native American Culture & History, Protect Native American Heritage, and Support the Education and Futures of Native Youth. Please urge your state legislators to co-sponsor these 5 important bills today!]

Reasons to Vote YES on Question 1 today⁠
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[Image description: "In the March 2 Annual Town Election, Wellesley voters have the opportunity to unite against racism and honor Indigenous Peoples with a YES vote on Question 1. Indigenous people have been calling for Indigenous Peoples Day for decades. Formally recognized by the UN Geneva Conference Declaration of 1977, Indigenous Peoples Day is already celebrated in lieu of Columbus Day in 14 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 130 cities, including 14 communities in MA. Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day begins to remedy the harmful effects of racist U.S. policies and distorted histories that normalize genocide, removal, erasure and negative stereotypes of Indigenous Peoples while glorifying colonization, westward expansion, and white supremacy. We cannot celebrate both Indigenous Peoples Day and Columbus Day. Columbus brought a culture of domination, exploitation, violence, and greed that resulted in genocide, oppression, and destruction of Indigenous cultures and ecosystems. Celebrating Columbus is an affront to Indigenous people and to all people who abhor what he represents. Changing to Indigenous Peoples Day is not anti-Italian; it is an antiracist stand against the genocidal legacy of Columbus. Many Italian Americans stand in solidarity with Indigenous people and support this change. Indigenous Peoples Day acknowledges the ongoing presence of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island–this land we now call North America–as well as Indigenous communities around the world. In this time of existential ecological crisis, Indigenous people provide much needed wisdom on how we can live sustainably in balanced relation with each other and the land. Indigenous Peoples Day celebrates and centers Indigenous voices, sciences, cultures, and ways of life."]

Today is the day!!! Polls open at 7 am and close

Today is the day!!!

Polls open at 7 am and close at 8 pm. You can check our stories or go to the link 🔗 in bio for more info about polling locations. Mail-in ballots must also be dropped off at the Elections & Payments dropbox outside of town hall by 8 pm tonight.

We wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign in some way, whether that was exploring resources and learning, donating, getting a yard sign, volunteering, talking to your network, or engaging with us on social media. We appreciate you! ❤️

Happy voting 😊

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[Image description: folks standing outside of Wellesley Village Church wearing masks and holding Honor Indigenous Peoples Day signs. There is a dog on the left.]

1 MORE DAY! Election day is TOMORROW! Can you beli

1 MORE DAY! Election day is TOMORROW! Can you believe it?
Today’s action item is posting about IPD Wellesley on your social media accounts. Share one of your favorite posts of ours or make your own--spread the word and let’s Get Out The Vote!!

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[Image description: a large beige number ‘1’ on a black background with blueberries]

With only 2 DAYS left until the election, we’re

With only 2 DAYS left until the election, we’re challenging you all to contact 2 FRIENDS and tell them why voting Yes on Question 1 March 2nd is important! Get to it!

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[Image description: a large beige number ‘2’ on a black background with tall grass representing wild rice]

There are only 3 DAYS LEFT until the election and

There are only 3 DAYS LEFT until the election and so we are designating today Show Us Your Sign/Support Saturday!!!⁠
If you have pics of your IPD Wellesley yard sign, DM us and we’ll repost it on our stories today :)⁠
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[Image description: a large beige number ‘3’ on a black background with a four petal dogwood flower seen on IPD Wellesley yard signs that represents kinnikinnick]

Over 150 people have already pledged their commitm

Over 150 people have already pledged their commitment to vote Yes on Question 1! Join the national movement to honor Indigenous Peoples Day and vote to make this important change in Wellesley on Tuesday March 2⁠
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[Image description: On a green background is beige text that reads “The recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day in Wellesley has been endorsed by… 8 advisory committee members, 131 town meeting members, 157 individuals, 4 groups ...and counting!”]

Our wonderful content team has put together a list

IMPORTANT: TODAY AT 5 PM is the deadline to reques

IMPORTANT: TODAY AT 5 PM is the deadline to request a mail-in ballot for the March 2 election!! If you haven’t requested one yet and are planning to vote-by-mail, this is your official reminder to do it now 💥 ⁠
Remember, even if you requested mail-in ballots for elections in 2020 you have to do it again for this election! ⁠
Also check in with your network to make sure they know the deadline is today ☺️⁠
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🔗 Link in our bio for info on how to vote⁠
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[Image description: On a light blue background is large black, bold text that reads "TODAY at 5 pm is the deadline to submit your mail-in ballot application !" Below is a clipping of the mail-in ballot application you can download online in a circle. Around the circle is white text that says "vote by mail. vote by mail. vote by mail. vote by mail."]⁠
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Attention: The deadline to request a mail-in ballo

Attention: The deadline to request a mail-in ballot for the March 2 election is 5 pm on Feb. 24!! In 2 days!!!⁠
Even if you voted by mail in the November elections, you have to request a mail-in ballot again!⁠
If you are registered to vote, plan to vote by mail, but have not requested a mail-in ballot yet, go to the link in our bio ASAP for information about how to submit your request 🔗⁠
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[Image description: A map with the title, Voting in Wellesley’s Annual Town Election. Do you live in Wellesley? Y/N. If yes, will you be 18 or older on March 2, 2021? Y/N. If yes, are you registered to vote in Wellesley? Y/N/Unsure. If no or unsure, go to the MA Secretary of State’s website and register if needed by Feb. 10. If yes, How would you like to vote? By mail/In person. If by mail, 1) Fill out a mail-in ballot request form and return it to the town clerk by Feb. 24 at 5pm, 2) Return your ballot to the town clerk by March 2 at 8pm. If in person, 1) Double check your polling location, 2) Vote on March 2, 7am - 8pm]⁠

Get Out The Vote Party! Engage in this anti-racism

Get Out The Vote Party! Engage in this anti-racism initiative and volunteer to hold a yard sign in town! Link in bio 🔗⁠
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[Image description: Within squiggly black lines is text that reads Support IPD in Wellesley, hold a sign in town! Below is a picture of folks holding Honor Indigenous Peoples Day outside the Wellesley Village Church. Along the border is red text that reads "Get Out the Vote ! Get Out the Vote !"]

^This is the Elections & Payments Drop Box at Town

^This is the Elections & Payments Drop Box at Town Hall 📮 It’s where you can return your mail-in ballot application (deadline Feb. 24!) and your actual mail-in ballot once you have voted (deadline March 2!)

Have you made a plan to vote yet? Refer to our previous post for instructions or visit ipdwellesley.org/vote/

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[Image description: Images 1 and 2, committee member wearing a face mask, hat, and winter coat posing next to the Elections and Payments drop box at town hall and submitting their mail-in ballot application. The Wellesley Free Library is in the background and there is snow on the ground. Image 3, committee member is jumping for joy after dropping off their application. The town hall building is in the background.]

Check out the voices of Wellesley residents, inclu

Check out the voices of Wellesley residents, including some committee members, sharing why they are voting YES on Q1⁠
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You can find these letters under “News” on our website at ipdwellesley.org

Q: Why change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples D

Q: Why change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day when there is already "Native American Heritage Day"?⁠
A: So-called Native American Heritage Day is not widely embraced by Indigenous people because it reinforces the false mythology of Thanksgiving and coincides with Black Friday. It also does not address the harm of continuing to celebrate Columbus. ⁠
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[Image description: In colored letters across the top reads "Unite against racism, Honor Indigenous Peoples, Vote Yes on Q1". Below reads, "Honoring Indigenous Peoples Day (IPD) is an antiracist stand against Columbus' genocidal legacy. It is not anti-Italian. Many Italian Americans support this change. We cannot celebrate both IPD and Columbus Day. Celebrating Columbus is an affront to Indigenous people and to all who want to end white supremacy. So-called Native American Heritage Day is not widely embraced by Indigenous people because it reinforces the false mythology of Thanksgiving and coincides with Black Friday. IPD has already replaced Columbus Day in 14 states, DC, and 130+ cities including 14 in MA. Learn more at ipdwellesley.org"]

Happy valentine’s day💞💞💞 We LOVE seeing

Happy valentine’s day💞💞💞 We LOVE seeing our volunteers out holding signs❣️ Thank you to all who have volunteered already! If you would like to help, fill out the form linked in our previous post.
And if you see our team out with signs, make sure to give us a honk or wave hello🤗

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[Image description: folks wearing face masks and holding up Honor Indigenous Peoples Day signs at the Central St./Washington St./Grove St. intersection in Wellesley. There is snow on the ground.]

Important endorsement from @sustainablewellesley !

Important endorsement from @sustainablewellesley ! Environmental justice and social justice can’t be separated. They are joining national environment leaders like Sierra Club in acknowledging this connection.

Vote yes on Q1! Link in bio to read their statement🔗

[Image Caption: text reading “Environmental Justice 2/12/2021 Honor Indigenous Peoples Day”]

It’s time to get informed about what will be on

It’s time to get informed about what will be on the March 2 Annual Town Election ballot! This is the formal wording of Question 1. ⁠
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In April 2019, Wellesley’s Board of Selectmen held a public forum on the proposal to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day. 63% of Town Meeting members approved Article 42 supporting IPD. However, Town Meeting members voted in favor of an amendment to bring the article to a town-wide vote first. That’s the vote happening on March 2!! Ultimately, the Board of Selectmen will vote on officially proclaiming the second Monday of October Indigenous Peoples Day in Wellesley. It’s important for the town to encourage the Board of Selectmen to make this change--let’s GOTV!⁠
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[Image description: Question #1 “Should the Board of Selectmen, with the understanding that since 1977 Indigenous people of our country have requested Indigenous Peoples Day as a recognition of their humanity, culture, and history and further, that our country was built on Native lands, proclaim the second Monday of October henceforth be commemorated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day and cease to recognize Columbus Day in Wellesley in recognition of the position of Indigenous Peoples as native to these lands, and the suffering they face during and after the European conquest? This question is not binding.”]

A thoughtful, deep dive that knocked it out of the

A thoughtful, deep dive that knocked it out of the park

#indigenouspeoplesday #ipdwellesley

Link in bio
[Image caption: Large black text reading “I don’t celebrate Columbus Day posted by Reggie Jackson Oct 14, 2019” above a white man in a tricorner hat]

IPD Wellesley is looking for volunteers to help us

IPD Wellesley is looking for volunteers to help us GOTV (Get Out the Vote)! If you would be down to hold up an Honor Indigenous Peoples Day sign around town, fill out the form linked in our bio! 🔗⁠
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[Image description: Black text in the middle of the image reads "Call for Volunteers". Above reads "GOTV" in large white letters. Below the text are stick figures holding Honor Indigenous Peoples Day signs.]

On Tuesday Feb 9 at 7 pm, the Wellesley Democratic