Columbus Day vs. Indigenous People's Day
Second Monday of October (US)
Columbus Day vs. Indigenous People's Day
Second Monday of October (US)
The White House. A proclamation on Columbus Day 2021.
The image of Christopher Columbus as an intrepid hero has also been called into question. Upon arriving in the Bahamas, the explorer and his men forced the native peoples they found there into slavery. Later, while serving as the governor of Hispaniola, he allegedly imposed barbaric forms of punishment, including torture.
In many Latin American nations, the anniversary of Columbus’ landing has traditionally been observed as the Día de la Raza (“Day of the Race”), a celebration of Hispanic culture’s diverse roots. In 2002, Venezuela renamed the holiday Día de la Resistencia Indígena (“Day of Indigenous Resistance”) to recognize native peoples and their experience.
Several U.S. cities and states have replaced Columbus Day with alternative days of remembrance. States including Alaska, Hawaii and Oregon commemorate Indigenous People's Day, as well as cities like Denver, Phoenix and Los Angeles.
Native American Proverbs and Wisdom
All plants are our brothers and sisters. They talk to us and if we listen, we can hear them. – Arapaho.
It is better to have less thunder in the mouth and more lightning in the hand. – Apache.
Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts. – Hopi
What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset. – Blackfoot
Do not judge your neighbor until you walk two moons in his moccasins. – Cheyenne
All who have died are equal. – Comanche