Indigenous People Day

Indigenous Peoples’ Day (also known as Native American Day) is a counter-celebration to Columbus Day, promoting Native American culture and commemorating the history of Native American peoples.

The celebration began through the International Indian Treaty Council, as a protest against Columbus Day. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is usually held on the second Monday of October, coinciding with the federal observance of Columbus Day.

On October 8, 2021, President Joe Biden became the first commander in chief to formally recognize Indigenous People’s Day by issuing a proclamation celebrating the upcoming holiday.

The proclamation says: “On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, our Nation celebrates the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognizes their inherent sovereignty, and commits to honoring the Federal Government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations. … We honor America’s first inhabitants and the Tribal Nations that continue to thrive today.”