Whether you’re resting, adventuring, or working on Indigenous Peoples’ Day this year, it’s a good time to consider the history of why exactly we have it in the first place.

“His voyages between the Americas and Europe led to connection between the previously separated continents — and widespread destruction for Native people.”

Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer, arrived on the shores of what is now the Bahamas on October 12, 1492 — and 300 years later in 1792, a holiday was declared in his name in the United States. Ever since, Columbus Day has been observed on the second Monday of October each year.

His voyages between the Americas and Europe led to a connection between the previously separated continents — and widespread destruction for Native people, ushering in hundreds of years of conquest and colonization that ultimately devastated Indigenous populations and culture.

Recently, this history has been more fully acknowledged and is leading to a shift in who we center and celebrate on the anniversary of this historic day.

What is Indigenous Peoples’ Day?

Over the last ten years or so, more and more states around the US have opted to celebrate the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day, paying homage to the ancestors of the land we currently live on. Since 2021, President Biden has issued formal proclamations commemorating the holiday, although the day is not recognized as a federal holiday under US law.

“States around the US have opted to to celebrate the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day, paying homage to the ancestors of the land we currently live on.”

In 1977, Indigenous delegates at a UN conference first declared that the second Monday in October should be honored in solidarity with Indigenous populations, rather than the day the Americas were “discovered.” In 1990, South Dakota became the first US state to officially celebrate the day, and in 1992, Berkeley, California began celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day, coinciding with the 500th anniversary of the year Columbus first arrived in the Americas. 

“So often we are erased from contemporary existence… and relegated to pre-1900 history, whereas this is not the full and true story,” says Dr. Erik Brodt, a member of the Ojibwe people and the co-founder of Native American clothing brand Ginew. “Native people do amazing things and are a part of the fabric of this country.” The holiday offers a time for rest, reflection, and remembrance.

Ways to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day

“For people non-Indigenous to the United States, to me, they may honor Indigenous people by trying to make an authentic effort to engage and recognize the Indigenous people in their community,” says Brodt. “Have a cup of coffee, enjoy a conversation, and see us for who we are… not what others want us to be.” Read on for a handful of suggestions for ways to honor the holiday.

Acknowledge the land you’re living on.

Sites like Native Land will show you the native land you’re living on. With an interactive map that marks native lands around the world, from North and South America to Africa, Australia, and beyond, the site makes it easy to identify the tribes on whose ancestral land you’re now located. Just click on your approximate location on the map, and you’ll be directed to resources like the links for each tribe’s website — some areas have multiple affiliated tribes — and once you’ve identified the tribe name(s), it’s easy to do a bit of Googling on your own for more information.

Read books, watch movies, or listen to podcasts by Indigenous people. 

Pick up an informational, nonfiction book by an Indigenous author like “The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee” by David Treuer, “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, “An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States” by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, or “Project 562” by Matika Wilbur. Opt for fiction like “Buffalo Dreamer” by Violet Duncan, “There There” by Tommy Orange, or “Firekeeper’s Daughter” by Angeline Boulley.

Watch a movie by an Indigenous filmmaker like “Atanarjuat the Fast Runner,” “Beans,” or “Drunktown’s Finest.” Or, listen to Indigenous-led podcasts like “All My Relations” or “The Red Nation Podcast.”

Shop from small, Indigenous-owned businesses.

If you’re doing any shopping around this Indigenous Peoples’ Day, consider supporting Indigenous brands. Our guide to native-owned brands and artisans is a great place to get started, featuring some of our team’s favorites like clothing brand B.YELLOWTAIL or cruelty-free makeup line Cheekbone Beauty.

“Invest in the companies, people, actions, activities, and products of Indigenous people, as the OGs of sustainability,” says Jenn Harper, a member of the Anishinaabe people and the founder of Cheekbone Beauty. “Often the first and best step in improving your relationship with the world and its people is to support these brands and their missions.”

Do you have a favorite indigenous-owned business? Share in the comments!

Discover Indigenous Peoples’ Day activities in your area.

Lots of cities in the US host Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations to commemorate the holiday — Berkeley, California holds their 32nd annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day Powwow and Indian Market this October 12, while Boulder, Colorado will hold a weekend of performances and panels to honor the cultures of Indigenous peoples in the US. Check out your city’s website to find local events that might be planned.

Eat at an Indigenous-owned restaurant.

Honor Indigenous culture by dining at an Indigenous-led restaurant near you this weekend — or any weekend, really! Some popular Indigenous-led restaurants in the US include Sly Fox Den in Rhode Island, Aaimpa’ Cafe in Oklahoma, Owamni in Minneapolis, Tiwa Kitchen in New Mexico, and Cafe Gozhoo in Arizona. Spending some time searching around online might help lead you to some local spots you’ve never tried before.

Take a class.

You don’t have to be in college to learn about Indigenous culture formally. In fact, plenty of places throughout the US host workshops and art classes that teach traditional Indigenous skills. Idyllwild Arts in California holds workshops centered on learning about Navajo weaving, Cahuilla basketry, or Hopi jewelry, while Red Hawk Native American Arts Council has a robust online education program with programming like music classes, Native American dancing and powwow history, and Social Justice & Activism from an Indigenous Perspective.

Donate.

Put money back into Indigenous communities with a donation this Indigenous Peoples’ Day. There are tons of different organizations to donate to according to the causes you want to support, like the Native American Heritage Association Emergency Food Relief Fund, the American Indian College Fund, the Association on American Indian Affairs, or the Native American Rights Fund.

“There is such a deep and complex history of trying to eliminate, ignore, and destroy the culture and identities of Indigenous people,” says Harper. “Let’s celebrate and educate by acknowledging that there’s a rich tapestry of peoples that are here, and have been here, for almost forever.”

This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, consider the history of the land you live on and the country of which you’re a citizen. Who was the first to live on these lands? And what versions of history were you taught in school? If you feel disconnected from Indigenous history, challenge yourself to simply engage with these questions, privately or with a friend.

“It’s a small step toward raising our own awareness of the communities around us, both presently and historically.”

Discovering and untangling the biases and inaccurate histories we’ve been taught is an important practice for our personal growth, and an excellent way to mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day this year. The holiday gives us a chance to reflect on the Native cultures of our area — if we can spend some time learning about the culture, trying a new food or activity, patronizing Native-owned businesses, or supporting Indigenous communities via donations, it’s a small step toward raising our own awareness of the communities around us, both presently and historically.

What are some of your favorite Indigenous local events and businesses in your area? What other resources can you share? Educating ourselves is only one part of honoring this holiday; it’s also integral to continue to have a conversation about Indigenous history and culture. It is, after all, an integral and often misrepresented part of the shared history and culture of the United States.

Natalie Gale is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She is a Boston-based freelance journalist. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram!