Keith E. Sealing, is dean at Syracuse University’s College of Law in Syracuse, N.Y., tracks court cases involving American Indian religious issues. He has researched whether the First Amendment free-exercise clause should prohibit states from banning religiously motivated polygamy.

Oren R. Lyons is a professor of American studies at State University of New York, Buffalo. He is a faithkeeper in the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation, responsible for maintaining and representing customs and traditions of his people. He publishes Daybreak, a national American Indian magazine.

gkisedtanamoogk, who is Wampanoag, teaches Native American studies at the University of Maine.

Jane Iwamura is the chair of the religious studies program at the University of the West in Rosemead, Calif. She specializes in Asian-American religions, race and popular culture. She co-edited Revealing the Sacred in Asian & Pacific America.

The National Italian American Foundation lists Columbus monuments nationwide.

The National Columbus Celebration Association celebrates his historic achievement and his values, which it lists as faith, the courage of his convictions, dedication to purpose, perseverance in effort, professional excellence, and boldness in facing the unknown. It posts articles about the explorer. It’s based in Washington, D.C., where it sponsors celebrations.

Carolyn Chen is an associate professor in the ethnic studies department at the University of California, Berkeley, whose research interests include religion, ethnicity, immigration and sociology of work.

Dona De Sanctis resigned in 2007 from deputy executive director of the Order Sons of Italy in America, which does not support changing the name of the federal holiday. She is editor-in-chief of Italian America magazine and researches Italian American history and achievements.

Robert Royal serves as president of the Faith & Reason Institute and editor-in-chief of The Catholic Thing. His books include 1492 and All That: Political Manipulations of History and Reinventing the American People: Unity and Diversity Today.