America Day vs Native People Day

October 8 is observed as two holidays this year. That’s right, everyone’s favorites: Columbus Day and Indigenous People Day! As most of us Americans may know, Columbus Day is to commemorate Christopher Columbus, who sailed the ocean blue in 1492 and stumbled into present-day America. He is credited for the discovery of the USA, the country we all know and love. However, Indigenous People Day is a bit more more deliberately buried underground. This holiday is to celebrate indigenous resistance to oppression. The oppression of Native Americans; who owned this found land first.

Originally, Columbus Day was to be regarded on October 12, but ever since 1971, it’s been the second Monday of October. Today, it spread to be an Italian-American heritage holiday. It is celebrated with parades and colorful street fairs with music and Italian food. Although the anniversary has evolved to include another ethnicity, it cannot exactly uphold to what Indigenous People Day is for.

Indigenous People Day is a further evolved Columbus Day—or, at least a transformed Columbus Day. A day to organize against injustices towards indigenous people. The day originally transformed because of the controversy surrounding Columbus Day. That Columbus forced the Natives into slavery, and even imposed brutal punishments on them. Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, South Dakota, and several US cities have already begun changing how they honor the second Monday of October.

To spread the word, we can be advocates for Native American rights. Simply becoming more educated on these issues can make a positive impact. Other ways to show your support is to strengthen relationships between you and Native communities. Attend hosted cultural centers and immerse yourself into another culture. Take action to promote the recognition and equal opportunity of these indigenous people. After all, they were here first.

Sources:

• Columbus Day 2018. (2010, January 4). Retrieved September 29, 2018, from https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/columbus-day
• Indigenous Peoples Day. (2017, May 01). Retrieved September 29, 2018, from https://www.uua.org/multiculturalism/dod/indigenous-day