Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration (Re-thinking Columbus Day)

Cosponsored by the Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU

On October 10, a consortium of fourteen Indigenous organizations in New York City will unify to bring awareness of Indigenous Peoples’ Day,  currently celebrated as the national holiday Columbus Day.  The American Indian Community House, Redhawk Native American Arts Council, United Federation of Taino People, Kechiwa Nation, Hālāwai, Na Ōiwi NYC,  East Coast Two Spirit Society, and Safe Harbors Indigenous Collective hope that New York City follow in the footsteps of Multnomah County, Oregon; St. Paul, Minnesota; Olympia, Washington; Traverse City, Michigan; and Albuquerque and Sandoval County, New Mexico, which have all replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous’ Peoples Day. These cities and the Indigenous populations of the United States are calling on Americans to rethink who and what Columbus Day symbolizes to Indigenous people to the Americas.

The program will begin with a sunrise ceremony honoring Native peoples around the world. Leaders, elders, and medicine people from North America, the Caribbean, Pacific, and South America will sing, pray, and share their cultural traditions. The day will continue with spoken word, music, and both contemporary and traditional performing arts. Artists will share and sell traditional works, crafts, and jewelry.

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