Beyond Columbus: The History of Indigenous Peoples’ Day

With Indigenous People’s Day just around the corner on October 14th, it’s crucial to delve into the history of this holiday, whether you’re of Native American heritage or not. Formerly known as Columbus Day, this holiday was rechristened Indigenous Peoples’ Day thanks to the unwavering efforts of advocates across the nation.

When was Indigenous Peoples’ Day Created?

The history of Indigenous Peoples’ Day started in 1977 at the International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations.

Discussions about replacing Columbus Day with a celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day stirred at this conference. On top of that, Native American groups had long pushed back against holidays like Columbus Day and even Thanksgiving

Some feel Thanksgiving and Columbus Day oversimplify the complex relationship between Indigenous peoples and early settlers.

In 1990, at the First Continental Conference on 500 Years of Indian Resistance in Ecuador, Indigenous leaders from across the Americas united to declare 1992 a year of “continental unity” and “liberation.”

Further, these leaders aimed to shift the narrative surrounding Columbus’s “discovery,” which they saw as the beginning of centuries of suffering, including genocide, for Indigenous peoples.

After this conference, activists in Northern California organized protests against a planned Quincentennial Jubilee in San Francisco that was set to celebrate Columbus’s voyages. They formed the Bay Area Indian Alliance and launched the “Resistance 500” task force to raise awareness about the devastating impact of European colonization on Indigenous populations.

Their efforts paid off when, in 1992, Berkeley, California, declared October 12 a “Day of Solidarity with Indigenous People” and renamed Columbus Day “Indigenous Peoples Day.”

Also, the city implemented educational programs in schools, libraries, and museums to honor Indigenous cultures and histories. That same year, the opera Get Lost (Again) Columbus by Native American composer White Cloud Wolfhawk premiered, adding a creative dimension to the protest.

Berkeley has celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day ever since, including an annual pow-wow and festival starting in 1993.

This movement has sparked ongoing recognition of Indigenous resistance and resilience, encouraging more cities to rethink how we remember our history.

What is Indigenous Peoples’ Day?

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.

Although this day is observed on the same day as Columbus Day, it offers a vital shift in focus. That said, instead of honoring the legacy of Columbus, who is directly linked to the colonization that caused great harm to Indigenous communities, this day recognizes the resilience and heritage of Native American peoples.

The holiday was first introduced in Berkeley on the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. Santa Cruz followed suit two years later.

Since then, many cities and states have embraced Indigenous Peoples’ Day, with growing recognition nationwide. In 2021, President Joe Biden made history by issuing the first-ever presidential proclamation for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a tradition that has continued in recent years.

While it’s not yet a federally recognized holiday, Indigenous Peoples’ Day continues to gain momentum, reminding us of the strength, history, and enduring presence of Native American communities across the U.S.

What States Refuse to Recognize Columbus Day?

Although Indigenous Peoples’ Day is yet to be a federally recognized holiday, there are some states that have outright refused to recognize Columbus Day anymore.

These states include:

• • Alaska

• • California

• • District of Columbia

• • Hawaii

• • Iowa

• • Louisiana

• • Maine

• • Michigan

• • Minnesota

• • New Mexico

• • Nebraska

• • North Carolina

• • Oregon

• • Oklahoma

• • Texas

• • South Dakota

• • Vermont

• • Wisconsin

• • Washington DC