Traditions and Celebrations: Indigenous Peoples’ Day

WHAT IS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY?

Some holidays are old. Others are not. But new holidays can teach us a lot. Indigenous Peoples’ Day started in 1992. It is the second Monday in October. Indigenous means to be the very first to live in a place.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates Native Americans in the United States. More people celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day every year. In some places, the day is called Native American Day. Lots of cities and states celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Does yours?

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, people think about the past. It is a time to remember the promises the U.S. government has made to Native Americans. The government has made treaties, or agreements, with Native people for many years.

People want to honor Native American culture. Culture is the way of life for a group of people. It is the language, art, music, and traditions. The holiday shows pride in the things Native people have done.

About 6 million Native people live in the United States. Their ancestors have lived here for thousands of years. They were here long before Europeans arrived.

There are hundreds of Native nations in the United States. Native people live all across the United States. They live in big cities. They live in small towns. They may live on reservations. Or they might not. Which Native nations are in your state?

CHANGING THE STORY –

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is the same day as Columbus Day. Columbus Day has been a U.S. holiday since 1934. But many Native and Indigenous people do not want to celebrate Christopher Columbus.

Christopher Columbus did not discover North America. There were already lots of people here! Columbus kidnapped Indigenous people. He enslaved many of them. Because of this, people do not want to celebrate him.

People who celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day want to celebrate and learn about all the things Native people have done. They want to honor people like the Taíno. They were the first people Columbus met. Many people who live on islands in the Caribbean have Taíno ancestors.

A TIME TO GATHER –

People celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in many ways. They may cook some traditional foods. They might cook wild rice or make fry bread.

People may go see Elders. They hear stories about the past. Others may visit other Native leaders. They talk about the things that are important to people in their communities.

Some Native people go to a powwow to celebrate. If they do, they might wear regalia. This clothing is worn for special events.

Native communities may gather for a feast. They might host a powwow. There could be dancers and drum groups. They may hold ceremonies and parades.

In the state of Minnesota, many people gather at the Minneapolis American Indian Center. They gather for food and dancing. They see family and friends. It is one of the oldest Indian centers in the country.

The United Indians of All Tribes Foundation hosts rallies and marches. This group is in Seattle, Washington. They celebrate the work which led the city to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Native people in the area celebrate with traditional songs and dances. They also have a traditional salmon dinner. They gather at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Seattle.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a way to celebrate Native art and culture. Some people celebrate by reading poems. In 2020, three Native poets, Sherwin Bitsui, Joan Naviyuk Kane, and Tommy Pico, read their poems for an event in Brooklyn, New York.
People go to museums. The National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., has art on display by Native painters. There might be singers or drum groups there. Native authors may share their books. People might give speeches. They remember their ancestors.

Some people think Native people have disappeared. But that is not true. Native people are still here. Native people have a long history of activism. Many people wanted a day to celebrate and learn.

You could learn about Autumn Peltier. She is a water protector. Water protectors are people who want to keep water safe and clean. Peltier has spoken out for clean water her whole life.

You could also learn about Frank Waln. He is an activist and a hip hop artist. He wrote a song to let people know about a project that would harm Native lands.