What is Indigenous Peoples Day? A Day of Commemoration, Advocacy, and Reclaiming Heritage

From Alcatraz Island to a park in New York City, Indigenous communities across the United States will observe a day of reflection and action on Monday, commemorating their centuries-old history of resilience through ceremonies, dances, and speeches. This day marks a shift from its historical association with the celebration of Christopher Columbus to a focus on the indigenous peoples whose lives and cultures were profoundly impacted by colonialism.

“This day is about reclaiming histories,” expressed Kyle Mays, an associate professor of American Indian Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. “It’s acknowledging the history of dispossession and violence against Indigenous people.”

Here, we delve into the significance of Indigenous Peoples Day, its historical roots, and the various ways in which people choose to observe it.

The Evolution of Indigenous Peoples Day

Indigenous Peoples Day has been celebrated in various forms for decades, each iteration dedicated to honoring Native Americans’ history and culture while recognizing the ongoing challenges they face. In 2021, President Biden issued the first-ever presidential proclamation for Indigenous Peoples Day, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging America’s first inhabitants and the thriving Tribal Nations of today.

This observance traditionally falls on the second Monday in October, coinciding with Columbus Day, a federal holiday established many years ago to commemorate Columbus’s 1492 arrival in the Americas. However, this historical link to Columbus is a point of contention.

“Columbus was a lost explorer who stumbled into this part of the world and brought famine, colonization, and the deaths of millions of Indigenous peoples,” noted Nick Tilsen, president and CEO of the NDN Collective, an Indigenous-led advocacy group. “For this country to celebrate that history is absolutely disrespectful.”

Is Indigenous Peoples Day a Federal Holiday?

While not a federal holiday, Indigenous Peoples Day is officially recognized in 17 states, including Washington, South Dakota, and Maine, as well as in Washington, D.C. Many of these states observe Indigenous Peoples Day either alongside Columbus Day or as a replacement for the latter. Numerous cities and school systems also acknowledge and celebrate this day.

Recently, both Anchorage and Phoenix joined the ranks of municipalities officially designating Indigenous Peoples Day as a holiday. Additionally, some U.S. lawmakers have reintroduced legislation aimed at replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day as a federal holiday.

The Significance of Indigenous Peoples Day

For Native Americans, Indigenous Peoples Day represents a celebration of their survival in the face of Columbus’s arrival and its devastating consequences.

Cliff Matias, cultural director for the New York-based Redhawk Indigenous Arts Council, noted, “We celebrate our survival of Columbus and all that he brought.” Matias, whose Indigenous Nations are Taino and Kichwa, suggested that a more suitable day to honor Native people might be the summer solstice, which holds significant meaning for Indigenous communities worldwide.

Nevertheless, Tilsen emphasized the power of celebrating on this day, stating, “When we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day in place of Columbus Day, it shows a victory for Indigenous people. It represents how we won’t be erased, how we still stand in our power, no matter what they did to try to kill us off and steal our land.”

How Is Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrated?

Indigenous Peoples Day serves as a day to recognize the painful history faced by Indigenous people and to celebrate their communities. It also functions as a day of protest and resistance, addressing issues such as memorials to Columbus, environmental justice, the return of Indigenous lands, and the plight of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

Tilsen, who is Oglala Lakota, described his typical observance, which involves participating in protests followed by celebrations featuring Native food, performances, art, music, and traditional ceremonies. The recognition of this day is the result of decades of organizing by Indigenous peoples, dating back to the 1970s.

While the debate over Columbus Day versus Indigenous Peoples Day continues, Tilsen emphasizes that it’s not an either-or situation. Italian-Americans have made substantial contributions to America, and their history should be celebrated, but there are more meaningful aspects of that history to highlight.

Events on Indigenous Peoples Day

Numerous events take place across the United States to commemorate Indigenous Peoples Day. One notable event is the gathering on Alcatraz Island, where up to 3,000 people are expected to mark its occupation by Native Americans for 19 months in 1969, considered a pivotal moment in the “original land back movement.”

In New York City, tribal chiefs and Indigenous people from various organizations will come together at Randall’s Island Park for the ninth annual gathering. The event includes prayers and honors the city’s original inhabitants.

Phoenix features the “Growing for the Future” event organized by the Heard Museum, celebrating Indigenous culture with music, film screenings, and traditional fry bread. Michigan will host an Indigenous Peoples Day event at Mid Michigan College, fostering collaboration between Native people and the broader community.

For those interested in celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day, Tilsen advises looking out for community events and taking the opportunity to learn more about the Indigenous communities in their areas.

(Note: This article is based on information available up to September 2021 and may not reflect the most current developments.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Indigenous Peoples Day

More about Indigenous Peoples Day

• History of Indigenous Peoples Day
• Indigenous Peoples Day: A Time of Celebration and Reflection
• Official Proclamation of Indigenous Peoples Day by President Biden
• Current Status of Indigenous Peoples Day Across the U.S.
• The Debate Over Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day
• Indigenous Peoples Day Celebrations in Alcatraz
• New York City Indigenous Peoples Day Gathering
• Heard Museum’s “Growing for the Future” Event
• Mid Michigan College Indigenous Peoples Day Event
• NDN Collective – Indigenous-Led Advocacy Group