Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day!
“Origin narratives form the vital core of a people’s unifying identity and of the values that guide them. In the United States, the founding and development of the Anglo-American settler-state involves a narrative about Puritan settlers who had a covenant with God to take the land. That part of the origin story is supported and reinforced by the Columbus myth and the ‘Doctrine of Discovery.’”
-- Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz from An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States
Manifest Destiny is ingrained in the minds of nearly everyone in the US and around the world. Manifest Destiny is the idea that European colonization and establishing settlements was inevitable as God’s grand plan. It is spread throughout this nation’s national consciousness that European invasion was, and still is, completely justified -- to arrive on the shores of Turtle Island to take “free” land in order to signify independence. This idea implies that there were no people already inhabiting Turtle Island for thousands of years. Despite Columbus never having set foot on the land known as the “United States,” songs, universities, cities, streets, and of course, this day, the second Monday in October, is dedicated to him.
This day is Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Our platform is dedicated to speaking the truth of this land’s history, not perpetuating the vile origin myth of “this land is your land, this land is my land.” The US resides on stolen land. We are unwavering in our solidarity with Indigenous peoples in the struggle for sovereignty.
We are not here for platitudes like “there are good and bad people on both sides.” This mindset bypasses necessary accountability on the part of white people for the present-day impact of the ongoing project of settler-colonialism based in the ideology of white supremacy. As Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz says, “This approach to history allows one to safely put aside present responsibility for continued harm done by that past and the questions of reparations, restitution, and reordering society.”
How Can You Honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
Gather friends and/or family for dinner. Include a land acknowledgment and facilitate a discussion about the true history of Turtle Island, and the ongoing issues we face today surrounding colonization.
Start a conversation with the spaces, organizations, schools, groups, you are a part of and encourage them to drop “Columbus Day. Take part in the change happening around the nation to officially call this day “Indigenous Peoples Day.”
Check out a copy of An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz at your local library or buy the book! Try not to buy it through Amazon…
Host a movie screening followed by discussion. We recommend Columbus Day Legacy, or visit VisionMaker Video, a video catalog by Native American Public Telecommunications of films by and about Native folks.
Study the Doctrine of Discovery. Work to eliminate its ongoing impact.
Learn about missing and murdered indigenous women and get involved to stop the epidemic.
Support this Indigenous Peoples’ Day Raffle Campaign. Allen Salway and DigDeep are partnering with St. Bonaventure Indian Missions & School to help bring clean running water & light to the reservation.
Indigenous Artists/Activists/Leaders/Groups We Love:
Jolie Varela of Indigenous Women Hike
Black Belt Eagle Scout
Nina Gualinga
