The purpose of Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not to erase Columbus Day from history but rather to recognize, honor, and celebrate the Native American cultures and people who have inhabited the Americas since long before European explorers arrived. They helped the Europeans survive by introducing them to indigenous plants & growing techniques, hunting & cooking.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated annually on the second Monday in October. This year it will be observed on Monday, October 14.
Things to ponder:
• Attend an Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration. Check locally to see if there are any celebrations that you can attend in person. There are also numerous opportunities to experience the cultures and perspectives of Indigenous peoples online, including virtual powwows, workshops, and podcasts.
• Learn about native plants and their traditional uses. Plants that are native to a particular area or region support healthy ecosystems and habitats for insects, birds, and other wildlife. Indigenous peoples’ traditional gardening techniques such as the well-known Three Sisters method were used to cultivate native plants for medicine and food.
• Visit a museum that recognizes Indigenous history. There are a number of museums across North America that include or focus on the perspectives, history, and/or art of Indigenous peoples. Some of these include the National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, DC; New York City, NY), Burke Museum (Seattle, WA), Sen. John Heinz History Center (Pittsburgh, PA), The Journey Museum and Learning Center (Rapid City, SD), Heard Museum (Phoenix, AZ) and the Museum of Native American History (Bentonville, AR), among others.
We can come together despite our differences by engaging in respectful dialogues, actively listening to others, showing empathy and tolerance, and taking part in cooperative activities that foster mutual understanding and respect.
-Anonymous
This was new to me thank you for the explanation.
I hope to do a Retreat if the weather is good around Dec 31
I also like the variety of Retreats all of you do. If I don’t make it I will come in the Spring God willing
Blessings
K k
Thanks for your informative article.
fNative Americans have taught us all much to be grateful for.
All cultures are of value and have much to teach us all.
Is wonderful that God gifts us all in so many ways..
Thank you for your comments. I want to add that we as Christians benefit from our continued valuing of the spirituality of indigenous peoples, especially as spirituality relates to caring for our Common Home (as Pope Francis refers to our one and only planet). No matter of our origin, we all are indigenous to some place, but that place is restricted to our Common Home. We are all created intentionally and we do our best when we are together.
Are not the native American Eskimos also indigenous people? Why are we just honoring the American Indian?
Yes, Eskimos are also among the Indigenous Peoples honored by this celebration.
The day honors the Indigenous peoples of the United States— American Indians, Native Alaskans, and Native Hawaiians, most of whom were violently uprooted and exploited beginning with the arrival of Europeans in the Americas.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day – Britannica
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In my county, we are celebrating Indigenous People’s Day by:
1. A presentation “The Anishinaabe Approach to the Circle of Life” (on Friday) at the Library with discussion to follow, 2. Ojibwe Storytelling @ ICAA Family Resource Center Chapel on Saturday, 3. Indigenous People’s Day Meal on Monday @ Senior Center, Rusk County Fairgrounds – with exploration of our Anishinaabe exhibit at the Rusk County Historical Museum afterwards. Many opportunities to learn and grow and celebrate our first people who inhabitied our area.