Indigenous People Day 2022
In the United States, Indigenous People’s Day is recognized on October 10. The United Nations recognizes the contributions of Indigenous peoples throughout the world on August 9. Indigenous Peoples Day in the U.S. is a time to honor and celebrate Native American peoples. Therefore, many people use the day as an opportunity to lift up and celebrate Native American culture, history, and teachings. In addition, teaching the perspectives of Indigenous peoples and their ancestors who lived on the land now known as North America. These peoples existed in these areas thousands of years before the first European explorers arrived.
At the same time, this can be a somber day to learn about and reflect on the atrocities that colonists have perpetrated against Indigenous communities throughout history. Indigenous peoples have sought recognition of their identities, their way of life and their right to traditional lands, territories and natural resources for years. Yet, throughout history, their rights have been violated. Many of these inequities continue today.
Related Vocabulary
Indigenous: the word means originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
Did you know that ….
- In 2021, the U.S. celebrated its first national Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
- According to the United Nations, there are more than 476 million Indigenous peoples living in 90 countries all over the world. In fact, Indigenous people comprise 6.2% of the world’s population
- Columbus Day began as a celebration of Italian immigrants who faced persecution in the U.S. But for many with Indigenous ancestry, it was a slap in the face—a celebration of invasion, theft, brutality, and colonization. Columbus and his crew enabled and perpetrated the kidnapping, enslavement, forced assimilation, rape and sexual abuse of Native people, including children.
- The Native American population shrank by about half after European contact. For Indigenous Americans, the landing celebrated by some as a day of triumphant discovery was the beginning of an incursion onto land that had long been their home.
- The movement to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Native American Day has gained momentum and spread to states, cities, and towns across the United States. The first state to rename Columbus Day was South Dakota in 1990. The following states and the District of Columbia now observe Native American or Indigenous Peoples’ Day, in place of or in addition to Columbus Day: Alabama, Alaska, District of Columbia, Hawai’i, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin
Ideas to honor Indigenous Peoples Day
Ideas to honor Indigenous Peoples Day 2022
Books recommended by Dr. Debbie Reese (Nambé Pueblo), founder and co-editor of American Indians in Children’s Literature.
Podcasts like Warrior Kids by Pam Palmater, This Land by Rebecca Nagle and All My Relations by Matika Wilbur (Swinomish/Tulalip) and Adrienne Keene (Cherokee Nation),
For children under 10, use this free activity guide.
Free webinars, targeted to middle and highschool students
A few resources to learn more
Native American Community Services
Indigenous Day Vs. Columbus Day
Sources:
https://unexpectedvirtualtours.com/indigenous-peoples-day/
https://www.almanac.com/indigenous-peoples-day
https://www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-day/background
https://sni.org/culture/museum/
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