INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY

It may be that some little root of the sacred tree still lives.
Nourish it then
That it may leaf
And bloom
And fill with singing birds!

Hear me, that the people may once again
Find the good road
And the shielding tree.

--Back Elk

In 1937, the second Monday in October was designated as Columbus Day by the US government. It was to commemorate the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas in 1492. But to the people who already inhabited the Americas, Columbus’s “arrival” was more accurately described as an invasion. Columbus and his men were the first Europeans to commit horrific atrocities against America’s indigenous people. It started with rape, pillage, torture, murder, and enslavement, and led to widespread disease, warfare, destruction of cultures, and displacement and deaths of millions of Native People. 

Instead of glorifying Columbus with a holiday named after him, many people have chosen to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Many college campuses, at least ten states, and more than 100 cities, towns and counties have made the switch. 

Read here about teens in Amherst, Massachusetts, who were successful in changing the holiday to Indigenous Peoples’ Day in their school district, and are now working to change it in their state. https://medium.com/embrace-race/columbus-day-to-indigenous-peoples-day-94c1b2d89b54

Learn more https://www.zinnedproject.org/materials/columbus-and-las-casas/

Share the truth. 

Consider changing the holiday in your school. https://www.zinnedproject.org/campaigns/abolish-columbus-day#examples