INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY

As of October 2021, over 20 municipalities in Massachusetts have officially changed the name of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day while waiting for state-wide legislation to pass. The bill would replace the holiday with Indigenous Peoples Day. Changing the 2nd Monday in October to Indigenous People’s Day acknowledges the harmful impact of celebrating Columbus as a hero. There are a number of Massachusetts cities and towns that we know about that celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day although their city/town has not officially changed the name. See a partial list below.*

Historical accounts prove that wherever they went, Columbus and his men murdered and enslaved Indigenous People. The repercussions continue to be keenly felt even now. Indigenous Peoples Day replaces something negative with something positive – an increased awareness of Indigenous Peoples and a celebration of Indigenous resilience and survival, in Massachusetts as well as throughout the Americas.

On October 8th 2021, President Joe Biden became the first commander in chief to formally recognize Indigenous Peoples Day by issuing a proclamation celebrating the holiday. Despite some misunderstanding of the nature of a presidential proclamation by the media, Indigenous Peoples Day is not yet a federal holiday.

CLICK HERE to read the 2023 Proclamation by President Biden.

Native peoples have been advocating for the renaming of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day since the 1970s. It’s time that Massachusetts follow the example of Maine, Vermont, New Mexico, Alaska, Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina, and South Dakota – states that rightfully honor this land’s First Peoples in place of Christopher Columbus.

There is also a group called Italian Americans for Indigenous Peoples Day.  It was formed in solidarity with thousands of Native peoples from many tribal nations who live in Massachusetts who are working and supporting the renaming of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.

Like Nat’l Native American Heritage Month (November), there are things you can do on Indigenous Peoples Day and year-round:

  • Share & Read Books by Indigenous Peoples - Too often, the history of Indigenous peoples is not only left untold – but it’s excluded, twisted, or diminished on purpose. Reading a book by an Indigenous author is a great way to “flip the script.”

  • Purchase from Local Indigenous Businesses - Consider Indigenous businesses, large and small, when purchasing items for you and your family.

  • Skip Columbus Day - Begin a new tradition with family and friends of observing Indigenous Peoples Day.

  • Share Knowledge About Indigenous Peoples Day - Use your company’s reach and influence to teach others about Indigenous Peoples Day.

  • Create a Slack Channel for Deeper Discussion - If your friends use a chat app, create a channel to explore Indigenous Peoples Day further.

  • Attend an Event - Click HERE to see a list of events hosted by a group of Indigenous People or an Indigenous organization. Learn more about how you can be of assistance with any issues that the organization is facing.

  • Donate to a Cause – Put your money where your mouth is and support an organization that helps Indigenous people locally like the Mass. Center for Native American Awareness, Inc.

 

*Amherst, Aquinnah, Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Easthampton, Falmouth, Grafton, Great Barrington, Harvard, Holyoke, Marblehead, Mashpee, Maynard, Melrose, Newton, Northampton, Provincetown, Salem, Somerville, Stow, and Wellesley.