Today, on Columbus Day 2024, a growing number of Americans are celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day instead. Falling on the second Monday of October, this day honors the Indigenous communities of the United States—American Indians, Native Alaskans, and Native Hawaiians. It’s a day dedicated to recognizing the history, culture, and contributions of these communities, while also reflecting on the impact of European colonization on Indigenous peoples.
The Origins of Indigenous Peoples Day
The movement to establish Indigenous Peoples Day began as a response to the traditional Columbus Day celebration. While Columbus Day has historically commemorated the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492, this perspective has been increasingly challenged. Indigenous activists and their allies argue that Columbus’s expeditions initiated a brutal legacy of colonization, violence, and exploitation against the native populations.
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In 1977, the idea of replacing Columbus Day with a holiday focused on Indigenous peoples was proposed at the United Nations International NGO Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas. This was a significant moment that set the stage for today’s observance of Indigenous Peoples Day, a holiday that has gained widespread recognition in recent years.
Why Do We Celebrate Indigenous Day?
Indigenous Peoples Day celebrates the diversity of Native cultures and acknowledges their vital contributions to American society. It serves as a counter-narrative to Columbus Day, aiming to correct historical inaccuracies and shed light on the suffering endured by Indigenous communities. The holiday provides an opportunity to honor the sovereignty and resilience of these communities, many of whom were violently displaced and marginalized beginning with Columbus’s arrival.
People celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day to acknowledge the truth about the history of Columbus D. and the enduring legacy of colonialism. It is a day of reflection on how colonization led to significant losses of land and life for Indigenous peoples, and it emphasizes the need to remember and respect their rights.
The Transition from Columbus Day 2024 to Indigenous Peoples Day
The shift from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day has been steadily growing across the United States. South Dakota was the first state to officially recognize Native Americans’ Day in 1990, and Berkeley, California, followed by adopting Indigenous Peoples Day in 1992. Since then, numerous states and cities have made similar changes, acknowledging the importance of honoring Indigenous communities.
In 2021, President Joe Biden became the first U.S. president to officially recognize Indigenous Peoples Day, marking a significant step toward the national acknowledgment of this holiday. While Columbus Day remains a federal holiday, more places across the nation are celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day either in addition to or in place of Columbus Day.
Columbus Day vs. Indigenous Peoples Day in 2024
As of today, October 14, 2024, the observance of Columbus Day is increasingly being questioned. Although it continues to be a federal holiday, the public’s perception of this day has shifted significantly. Many now see Indigenous Peoples Day as a more fitting tribute to the history and legacy of Native American communities, as it directly addresses the injustices they faced due to European colonization.
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The debate it’s about recognizing the historical truths that have long been ignored. Choosing to celebrate Indigenous Day over Columbus Day is a powerful statement of solidarity with Indigenous peoples and a step toward a more inclusive society.
Whether Columbus Day will remain a staple in American culture or be fully replaced by Indigenous Day is yet to be seen, but the movement for change is undoubtedly gaining strength.
