Indigenous Peoples’ Day

October 11, 2021 | Native Children’s Survival

In 1992, the California Bay Area Indian Alliance convinced the city council of Berkeley to declare 12 October a Day of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. Berkeley became the first U.S. city to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, setting a precedent for other cities and states to follow.

The origin and development of replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day began in 1977 with a delegation of Indigenous Peoples at the International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas. This historic conference, sponsored by the United Nations, was held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, from 20-23 September. Russell Means, national director of the American Indian Movement (AIM), followed by more than a hundred Indigenous representatives, including Onondaga Faithkeeper, Chief Oren Lyons, seen left in the photograph above, gave the keynote speech.

On October 8, 2021, Joe Biden, the 46th and current president of the United States, signed a presidential proclamation declaring October 11 to be a U.S. national holiday.

LIST OF EVENTS

VIRTUAL

• Rising Hearts second annual Indigenous Peoples Day virtual 5k, 10k, 13.1
  WHEN: Upload times and photos Oct. 9 through Oct. 17
  WHERE: Anywhere
  MORE INFO: The event is open to everyone, but registration includes a fee. Sponsorship is available. Proceeds are either donated or go to Rising Heart programs. Awards include a $50 gift card to first place winners of each distance. Event Website

• American Indian College Fund's Indigenous Peoples Day concert
  WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 10
  TIME: 6:30 p.m.
  WHERE: Virtual
  MORE INFO: American Indian College Fund's virtual concert to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. Performances include Nathaniel Rateliff, Martha Redbone, Portugal. The Man, Jewel, the Indigo Girls, Brooke Simpson, The Ghost of Paul Revere, Sarah McLachlan, Frank Waln – and more – with special guest appearances by Robbie Robertson, Ziggy Marley, Téa Leoni, Jeff Ament from Pearl Jam, Kathryn Grody and Mandy Patinkin. Event Website 

• Native American USC Graduates Panel
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 7 p.m. PT
  WHERE: Virtual
  MORE INFO: Six Indigenous artists will discuss how the university has worked to develop and promote Indigenous voices. Hosted by Skinsfest in partnership with USC School of Cinematic Arts and USC VIsions and Voices. Event Website

• Indigenous Peoples’ Day Convergence
  WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 9 - Sunday, Oct. 10
  TIME: 3 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, ET
  WHERE: Cincinnati, Ohio (virtual)
  MORE INFO: This year’s Convergence brings together global Indigenous leaders and changemakers to offer healing through story sharing and solidarity. Event Website 

• Land Back and the Third Reconstruction: Truth Commission with the Shinnecock Nation
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. ET
  WHERE: Virtual
  MORE INFO: On October 11 we'll come together virtually to hear testimony on the impact of these injustices, how the community is organizing in response, and how we can act in solidarity to build a world that reflects our values. The event will also feature music and remarks from Poor People’s Campaign national co-chairs, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis. Event Website 

• Black-Indigenous Youth Advancing Social Justice
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 1 p.m. ET
  WHERE: Free webinar
  MORE INFO: This Indigenous Peoples’ Day program highlights youth of blended Black and Native heritage who use art, activism, and policy to advance Black and Indigenous solidarity and affect positive change in their communities. Event Website

• Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration hosted by Alaska Pacific University
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. AKDT
  WHERE: APU Website, Facebook Page, YouTube Page 
  MORE INFO: No registration required. This virtual event will feature traditional dancing as well as speeches from community members and cultural leaders. 

• Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day with the DNC Native Caucus
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 5:30 p.m. ET / 4:30pm CT / 3:30pm MT / 2:30pm PT /1:30pm AK / 12:20pm HI
  MORE INFO: Hear from Congresswoman Sharice Davids and DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. For inquiries, email Theresa Sheldon at sheldont@dnc.org. 

• Indigenous Peoples Day from Tucson, Arizona
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  WHERE: Virtual
  MORE INFO: Panels on “Tracing the Structural Violence of Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Since 1492” and the film and speaker panel for “The Song of the Butterflies” require registration but will be streamed live on the Facebook Page (Indigenous Alliance Without Borders).

LIVE 

EAST COAST

Northeast

• Indigenous Peoples Day Boston Rally and March
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 11:30 a.m.
  WHERE: Park Street Station in Boston
  MORE INFO: Native people have asked that Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day to honor Indigenous Peoples, be declared on the second Monday in October. Event Website

• Indigenous Peoples Day New York City

  WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 10 and Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: Sunday 11 a.m., Monday, 7 a.m.
  WHERE: 20 Randall's Island Park, New York City
  MORE INFO: Event Website

• Indigenous Peoples' Day, Philly 2021 at Shackamaxon 
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 11 a.m. 
  WHERE: Penn Treaty Park, 1301 N Beach St, Philadelphia
  MORE INFO: Facebook Event Website

Ohio

• Indigenous Peoples’ Day Art Exhibition
  WHEN: Friday, Oct. 8 (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.), Saturday, Oct. 9 (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.) & Sunday, Oct. 10 (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.)
  WHERE: Wave Pool Gallery and the 21c Museum (Cincinnati, Ohio)
  MORE INFO: New to the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Convergence this year will be the first Indigenous-led, all Indigenous art exhibition in partnership with Wave Pool Gallery and the 21c Museum. Featuring 15 Indigenous and Native American artists from across Turtle Island. Opening night will be Friday, October 8th from 6pm to 9pm and the exhibit will remain on display during regular gallery hours Saturday through Sunday. The art exhibition will conclude with a potlatch dinner at Washington Park in Cincinnati beginning at 6pm on Monday, October 11, 2021. Event Website

Washington, DC area

• People vs. Fossil Fuels
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11 - Friday, Oct. 15
  TIME: Various
  WHERE: Washington D.C. 
  MORE INFO: Event Website 

CENTRAL

Oklahoma

• Muskogee Oklahoma Native American Association’s Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
  WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 10 - Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 4 p.m., Sunday and 10 a.m., Monday
  MORE INFO: Indigenous Film Festival Oct. 10 at the historic Roxy Theater in downtown Muskogee, Oklahoma at 220 W. Okmulgee Ave. Facebook Event Page Celebration on Oct. 11 at the Muskogee Civic Center, 425 Boston St, Muscogee, Oklahoma. Facebook Event Page

Nebraska

• 2021 Nebraska Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 9:30 a.m.
  WHERE: Heritage Plaza (On Centennial Mall between L & M Streets in Lincoln, Nebraska)
  MORE INFO: Celebrating Nebraska's Indigenous Peoples' Day. Events feature a tribal flag dedication ceremony in the Nebraska State Capitol, unveiling of Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte sculpture. Facebook Event Website

Oklahoma

• First Americans Museum hosts Indigenous Peoples’ Day Event
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (The museum opens at 10 a.m. with official programming beginning at noon. The Mayoral Proclamation will start at 2 p.m.)
  WHERE: First Americans Museum (659 First Americans Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73129)
  MORE INFO: The First Americans Museum (FAM) is hosting a day of programming in recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, including $5 discounted admission tickets (free for FAM members and those who dress in Native American regalia), dances, a Mayoral Proclamation and indigenous-inspired activities. Partners include Oklahoma City University. 

MOUNTAIN

South Dakota

• Remembering the Children Walk 
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 9:00 a.m. 
  WHERE: Rapid City, South Dakota
  MORE INFO: A memorial event for the children who attended and those who passed away while attending the Rapid City Indian Boarding School. MASKS REQUESTED. Event Website has details. 

Boulder

• Creative Nations Fashion Show
  WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 7 through Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 9 p.m. local time
  WHERE: Dairy Arts Center, Boulder, Colorado
  MORE INFO: Indigenous Arts Market, a film festival, music, dance performances and a fashion show. Facebook Event 

Montana 

• Indigenous Peoples Day Montana Call to Action
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 
  WHERE: Missoula County Courthouse (200 W. Broadway)
  MORE INFO: Urging Montana to embrace Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Bring face masks and signs. Coffee and donuts will be served.

New Mexico

• Indigenous Peoples Day 5K & 10K Run
  WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 9 - Monday, Oct. 11
  WHERE: Virtual. Potential in person event at 1 Sagebrush Street, Isleta, New Mexico.
  MORE INFO: The event is in recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day with a "Leaving no one behind" theme. To register and for the latest in person information, visit the Event Website

• NATIVE LAND Campaign Announcement hosted by Bow & Arrow Brewing Co.
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
  WHERE: Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. in Albuquerque, NM
  MORE INFO: Live music and food truck. Bow & Arrow Brewing releases a special Blue Corn Saison “Rise to the Sun” Collab with Revelry Brewing in South Carolina. Event Website 

• March and Rally Indigenous People's Day
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 5 p.m.
  WHERE: 1800 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque
  MORE INFO: Four Zoom events are also scheduled on Oct. 9 and Oct. 100. Event Website

Arizona

• Morning Bike Ride
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 7 a.m.
  WHERE: Black Bird Bike Co., 116 E. Roosevelt, Phoenix, Arizona
  MORE INFO: An Indigenous Peoples' Day solidarity bike ride. Meet at 6:30 a.m. and ride out at 7 a.m. Hosted by Cahokia. Details

• Cahokia Grand Opening
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 7 p.m.
  WHERE: 707 North 3rd Street, Phoenix, Arizona
  MORE INFO: Experience Arizona’s first Indigenous womxn-owned art gallery and the nation's first Indigenous womxn-led art and social-tech space in the country. Event is free, but the VIP experience is $50 and the after party is $25. After Party performances by Mato Wayuhi and Foreshadow. Event Website 

WEST COAST

California

• Alcatraz Sunrise Gathering
  WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11
  TIME: 6 a.m.
  COST: $11
  WHERE: Ticket booth opens at 4:15 a.m. Boats will depart Pier 33 at approximately 5:00 a.m., 5:15 a.m., and 5:45 a.m. Children under 5 years of age are free.
  MORE INFO: Event Website