A Comprehensive Guide to October 11 and Indigenous People’s Day

Although Indigenous Peoples’ Day has been proposed as a substitute for Columbus Day for many years, the idea never gained widespread acceptance. Indigenous Peoples’ Day has gained unprecedented support in recent years, thanks to growing public awareness of European invaders’ atrocities against Native Americans and indigenous people in what would become the United States. Here, Philadelphia accident attorneys explain the significance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day and why some believe Christopher Columbus, the man often credited with discovering the Americas, deserves to lose his holiday. To learn more about the origins of Columbus Day, keep reading.

History of Columbus Day:

In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed the oceans blue, as the ancient rhyme goes. Unquestionably, this is correct. However, a lot of the “history” that surrounds Columbus is incorrect: He did not find America (and never even arrived in North America), and most people believed the Earth was round before he even set foot on it.

First celebrated in New York City to commemorate Christopher Columbus’ 300th anniversary of the landing and honor Italian American history in 1792, Columbus Day did not become a federal holiday until the Knights of Columbus exerted political pressure on President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1937. The holiday was moved to the second Monday in October in 1972 by then-President Richard Nixon.

What is Indigenous Peoples’ Day?

Indigenous Peoples’ Day, honor indigenous people and their contributions to history and commemorate those who perished in genocide and Western colonialism. It also serves to remind us that Native Americans were on these shores long before European immigrants arrived. Indigenous Peoples Day was proposed as a replacement for Columbus Day at the United Nations International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas.

Every year, on the second Monday in October, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on the same day as Columbus Day. Indigenous Peoples Day in the year 2021 will be celebrated on October 11.

History of Indigenous Peoples’ Day:

In 1977, during a United Nations meeting against discrimination, the initial seeds of Indigenous Peoples’ Day were sown. In 1989, South Dakota became the first state to declare a holiday in honor of the occasion. Santa Cruz, California, and Berkeley, California, also followed suit.

Up until 1937, the holiday was still known as Columbus Day. Still, many now refer to it as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in honor of the vibrant Native American culture and way of life that it commemorates.

Because it celebrated 500 years of colonial torment and tyranny by European explorers and those who settled in America, Columbus Day was always bittersweet for Native Americans. Indigenous Peoples’ Day serves as a reminder of the suffering, trauma, and unfulfilled promises Indigenous Peoples endured from Columbus Day celebrations. Thousands of years before Columbus, the indigenous people lived in prosperous, self-sufficient societies.

Every year, more states, municipalities, and cities join the campaign to have Columbus Day renamed Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead. The wonderful customs and cultures of the Indigenous People not just in America but all around the world are celebrated on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We can learn a lot about living more sustainably from their way of life and culture.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is observed by 14 states and the District of Columbia on October 11 instead of Columbus Day. More than 130 towns and localities in the United States observe Indigenous Peoples Day, including Arlington, Amherst, Cambridge, Brookline, Marblehead, Northampton, Provincetown, and Salem.

Which States Celebrate the Indigenous Peoples’ Day?

First recognized in 1990, Indigenous Peoples’ Day has been observed by cities and towns across South Dakota for decades. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated in the following states:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Maine
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• S.D. South Dakota
• Vermont
• The District of Columbia.
• Wisconsin

How to Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2021?

To be clear, October 11 is either a federal holiday where I reside or not. What matters is that you commemorate the Indigenous peoples of America by doing the following:

Watch a Documentary:

As a result of Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2021, you’ll have a fantastic opportunity to learn more about American history and the negative impact colonialism has had on Indigenous peoples. Reconsider Columbus Day or Columbus: In His Own Words, two documentaries on Christopher Columbus might help.

Send a Letter to Your Local Elected Officials:

Several states, such as Alabama, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and others, continue to observe Columbus Day, while others commemorate Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Taking action against the Columbus Day celebration in your state may be as simple as talking to local legislators and letting them know your thoughts. If you’re celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day, send a letter to your city or county administration, email, share a social media post, or join a petition to oppose Columbus Day celebrations.

Attend an Indigenous Peoples’ Day Event in 2021:

On October 11, 2021, celebrations will take place around the country to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. A two-day conference with speakers and entertainment will be held on Randall’s Island in New York City on October 10 and 11, 2017… Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Boulder, Colorado, is a weekend-long celebration that includes community talks, film screenings, forums, panel discussions, and virtual activities. Investigate what events will be taking place on October 11 in your city or town so you can participate responsibly.

Investigate Indigenous Artistic Expressions:

Whether it is literature, music, or photography, art may be a beautiful and emotional method to learn about Indigenous people. To learn more about Indigenous artists, listen to this PBS collection of Native American musicians or read Indigenous novelist Tommy Orange’s “There There” The Denver Art Museum, one of the first in North America to collect Indigenous art, is another option.

Support Indigenous Communities by Giving Donations:

This year, consider giving some of your time or money to an Indigenous group as a positive way to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2021. Make a list of local non-profit organizations that help Indigenous people and donate the one that speaks to you the most strongly. Several examples are the Native American Rights Fund (N.A.R.F.), which defends Indigenous rights and resources, and the Redhawk Native American Arts Council, a non-profit Indigenous arts and culture organization.

The Significance of Indigenous Peoples Day:

• It pays respect to those who came before us:

In honor of the indigenous people who lived in North America thousands of years ago, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is observed.

• There is the acknowledgement of indigenous cultures in it:

Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the rich indigenous cultures, customs, and lifestyles found throughout the world.

• It supports the indigenous population:

For today, we show our solidarity with and support for indigenous people everywhere. To that end, we should lend a helping hand to those making investments in and improving indigenous communities.

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