Christopher Columbus did not "discover" America because Indigenous Peoples have been on Turtle Island since time immemorial. Today and every day, let's remember and celebrate this land's First Peoples! It's time to recognize that celebrating the life of Christopher Columbus also celebrates the erasure of Indigenous existence. It is an act of violence, not solidarity. By commemorating Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize colonization persists today and perpetuates oppression and violence against Indigenous Peoples as well as their sovereignty and self-determination. Changing Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day is a step towards disrupting these oppressive systems and shifts focus to recognize, honor, and celebrate Indigenous Peoples, knowledge, histories, cultures, traditions, and lands. It is an opportunity to learn about the Peoples whose land we occupy and now call home and to take action in supporting the rights and sovereignty of all Indigenous Peoples.
1. Learn Whose Land You Are On
2. Attend a local or virtual Indigenous Peoples Day event
3. Donate to Indigenous-led organizations upholding Indigenous rights today
4. Stream Indigenous Rights Radio programs to amplify the national conversation about Indigenous Peoples Day
Linda Coombs on Plymouth 400
The Wampanoag Peoples have lived in the region of what is now southeastern Massachusetts for more than 12,000 years. The year 2020 represents 400 years since colonizers voyaged on the Mayflower and founded Plymouth Colony as settlers on Native land. This anniversary is a time of reckoning with that history of violence, dispossession, removal.
Indigenous Peoples Day
IRR Producers Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan) and Avexnim Cojti (Maya K'iche') uncover the history of Indigenous resistance to colonization and the "discovery" narrative that perpetuates the celebration of Columbus and the erasure of Indigenous Peoples.
5. Indigenize your music playlist
Join us in celebrating #IndigenousPeoplesDay by listening to some great Native musicians. Discover new music and support Native artists!
Listen to a playlist of Native music curated by IllumiNative on Spotify.
6. Indigenize your book list
Support Indigenous authors by reading their works.
Check out this reading list by First Nations Development Institute.
And read books by Indigenous authors to your kids!
7. Take Action to Change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day
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Urge Congress to revoke the federal holiday status of Columbus Day!
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Take Action in Massachusetts!
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Take Action in New York City!
8. Buy from and support Indigenous Artists
9. Get Involved in the Anti-Mascot Movement
There are still more than 1,000 high school, university and professional teams that continue to have Native American mascots. Though changes have been made at the high school and collegiate levels, there is still more to be done with professional sports teams and other businesses. Start conversations to address the misrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in your community today. Check out our Abolishing Racist Native Mascots: A Toolkit for Change.
10. Amplify Indigenous Voices
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Read and share "Acts of Solidarity on Indigenous Peoples Day and Beyond." By Daisee Francour.
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Read and share "Indigenous Peoples’ Day: A Call to Higher Consciousness." By Wakinyan LaPointe
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Watch and share Columbus in His Own Words by John Kane
11. Share IlumiNative's resources to support #IndigenousPeoplesDay
12. Share the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples with 10 friends
13. Get Involved in the #LandBack Movement
14. Learn about the Upcoming UN Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032)
15. Spread the Word!
One of the easiest and most effective things you can do is raise awareness about Indigenous Peoples. Forward, post this message on Facebook, Instagram, or tweet it! #AbolishColumbusDay #IndigenousPeoplesDay #
