What is Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October. The holiday honors the past, present, and future of Native peoples throughout the United States by recognizing the legacy and impact of colonialism on Native communities and celebrating the cultures, contributions, and resilience of contemporary Native peoples. The idea was born as a counter-celebration to Columbus Day in 1977, at a United Nations sponsored conference in Geneva, Switzerland on discrimination against indigenous populations in the Americas. It was first celebrated in Berkeley, California in 1992, coinciding with the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival, and was formally recognized by the White House in 2021 with an Indigenous Peoples' Day proclamation. While Indigenous Peoples' Day has not replaced Columbus Day as a federal holiday, some states have chosen to switch over to Indigenous Peoples' Day, including Maine and South Dakota. In addition, at least 20 cities and towns in Massachusetts have switched over to Indigenous Peoples' Day, including the cities of Boston, Cambridge, and Framingham.
Why is the Holiday Important?
Currently, there are over 600 Native Nations in the US, and 6.8 million Americans identify as Native American (about 2% of the country’s total population). Yet representation for Native peoples (especially contemporary Native peoples) is seriously lacking, and Native communities still experience a legacy of discrimination as a result.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day pushes back on this invisibility. It allows Native people and their perspectives to be centered and celebrated. It’s a time to honor the achievements of folks like Joy Harjo, the first Native American poet laureate of the US, or the Indigenous youth activists who are saving sacred lands and fighting for climate justice. The holiday also gives non-Native people the chance to gain a better understanding of Native communities -- namely, that they are still here, they are relevant today, and their identities are valid.
Resources
To learn more about Indigenous Peoples Day, visit the National Museum of the American Indian or the official proclamation.