[image: NIPD.jpg]
*What is Indigenous Peoples' Day?*
In the United States, the second Monday of October marks the holiday
Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a way to celebrate and
honor the past, present, and future Native peoples across the US. Today
marks the day we acknowledge the legacy of colonialism that has
historically devastated and negatively impacted Native communities, but
more importantly honor the cultures, histories, contributions, and
resilience of Native people alive today.
*A little History:*
The idea to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first
introduced at the International Conference on Discrimination Against
Indigenous Populations in the Americans back in 1977. However, it took over
10 years for any city or state in the US to officially make the change. In
1990, South Dakota became the first state to replace Columbus Day and
officially celebrate Native American Day. As of 2020, 17 states officially
celebrate, observe the holiday via proclamations, or celebrate both
Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Columbus Day. While 130 cities now celebrate
Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
*Why is celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day so important?*
Even today, the experiences and lives of Natives peoples and their
communities both past and present are invisible or misrepresented in
contemporary society and media. This negatively impacts Native communities
and perpetuates the legacy of colonization and leaves Native people
vulnerable to further prejudice and discrimination. “By shifting away from
the celebration of Columbus Day, the celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day
re-centers Indigenous perspectives and ultimately allows people to gain a
better understanding of Indigenous resistance and resilience in the face of
colonization” (IllumiNative, 2019, 6).
Officially recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an official holiday makes
Native peoples visible and counters false claims about the existing
historical narrative that Christopher Columbus discovered America,
Indigenous peoples welcomed explorers with open arms, and that explorers
treated Indigenous peoples with respect. The continuation to celebrate
Columbus Day glorifies one of the most brutal colonizers in recorded
history and romanticizes the Americans' violent history of colonization.
Additionally, observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day brings together diverse
communities. Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations are a chance for
non-Native communities and individuals to engage with Native communities.
For non-Native people, these celebrations are an explicit and important
acknowledgment that Native people are still here and are contemporary,
present, and relevant.
Ultimately, the goal of this holiday is to center Indigenous perspectives,
acknowledge the legacy of colonialism, and honor the histories, cultures,
contributions, and resilience of contemporary Native Peoples. The
observation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day is to shift and center Native
communities and peoples’ perspectives.
Although encouragement of your own research and engagement is always
suggested and a great place to start is illuminatives.org. Click on links
below to find more information about events related to this holiday.
- PBS | Halluci Nation Rocks Brooklyn
<
https://www.pbs.org/video/halluci-nation-rocks-brooklyn-kzubpc/>
- Preview the 2nd season of Native America on PBS, which will
premiere October 24th. Native America is a four-part Native
directed series
that highlights the beauty of contemporary Indian Country in the 21st
century. Ahead of the premiere, PBS offers digital exclusive videos
and bonus scenes
<
https://www.pbs.org/native-america/digital-exclusive-video-season-2>
from
the series.
- Smithsonian | National Museum of the American Indian
- Americans <
https://americanindian.si.edu/americans/>
- American Indian images and popular historical events remain
references in everyday conversation. This virtual exhibition
explores the
ways in which American Indians have been part of the nation’s identity
since before the country began.
- Infinity of Nations
<
https://americanindian.si.edu/exhibitions/infinityofnations/index.html>
- This virtual exhibition invites you to explore the art and
history in the collections of the National Museum of the
American Indian.
The objects in the collection, spanning from North, Central, and South
America, were collected by George Gustav Heye. Today, these
objects are
being reinterpreted by the descendants of the people who made them,
providing American Indian perspectives on the Native past and present.
- The National Gallery of Art | The Land Carries Our Ancestors: Audio
Guide
<
https://www.nga.gov/visit/tours-and-guides/self-guided-tours/en/audiotours/the-land-carries-our-ancestors.html>
*“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test
of our civilization.” -Mahatma Gandhi*
Daksha Howard
Program Coordinator
Residential Life
Beloit College
Phone- 608-363-2125
Email - howardd_at_beloit.edu
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm - Monday Through Thursday
Friday - 8 am to 1 pm
Received on Mon Oct 09 2023 - 09:38:29 CDT