Honoring Indigenous Peoples Day

Dear Tribal and Indigenous Division Colleagues and Friends,

Last year’s recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day by a U.S. president does not mark the start of this movement and certainly does not mark the end. 

Like many Tribal and Indigenous issues, the battle for recognition, inclusion, and respect is never ending. Without unwavering determination, systemic institutional change, and political allies, issues facing Indigenous communities rarely make it onto mainstream political agendas. When they do, the media often provides a narrative of poverty rather than telling the story of our resilience.

But, thanks to 19-year-old Dylan Baca, the Indigenous Peoples Initiative, and Senator Jamescita Peshlakai of Arizona a mainstream shift occurred, and President Biden issued a proclamation to observe the 2nd Monday in October as a day to honor Native Americans. A day that honors, our resilience, and our contributions to American society, all while facing the challenges of assimilation, discrimination, and generational trauma.

The idea was first proposed by Indigenous peoples at a United Nations conference in 1977 held to address discrimination against Natives. Then in 1989, South Dakota became the first state to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Change may be slow, but it is steady, as we take the time to decolonize our history and reorder the narrative from an Indigenous perspective.

President Biden's proclamation signifies a formal adoption of a day that a growing number of states and cities have come to acknowledge. What might seem to some like a simple name change is really a symbol. It is a step towards the change we hope to see for Indian Country and the rest of the Country as well. 

Today, we’d like to take time to honor the work of those before us and the 7 Generations ahead of us. Together, we will make progress needed on the issues that matter to us most. 

With Respect; On behalf of the Tribal and Indigenous Planning Division Interim Executive Council

For more information about our mission and vision please visit our website https://www.planning.org/divisions/tribal/

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