Celebrate Native American Day the 2nd Monday in October
So traditionally the second Monday in October is Columbus Day. But in recent years Columbus’ reputation has taken a hit (not undeserved). So some communities have decided to have other celebrations on this day.
Many of these celebrations honor the people who had already discovered North America when Columbus showed up to claim it.
But not everyone calls it the same thing. In South Dakota it’s Native American Day (or Native Americans’ Day). In Berkeley, California it’s Indigenous Peoples Day. Some communities in Minnesota and Washington also celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day.
Why Native American Day instead of Columbus Day?
We’ve come to understand that Columbus wasn’t exactly kind to the “Indians” he found in the land he believed to be India. So people began to wonder if celebrating him was such a good idea.
Some people stopped wondering and decided to do something about it.
In South Dakota, the legislature proclaimed 1990 the “Year of Reconciliation” with Native Americans. It also changed Columbus Day to Native American Day starting in October 1990.
Berkeley, California followed suit in 1992. It scrapped Columbus Day and replaced it with Indigenous People’s Day.
The state of California actually celebrates Native American Day on the fourth Friday in September. Why the difference? Apparently in 1968 Governor Ronald Reagan signed a resolution in favor of American Indian Day on that day. It took a few years, but in 1998 the California Assembly made Native American Day official.
And Tennessee celebrates American Indian Day on October 31.
In 2009 the US Congress passed legislation to make the Friday after Thanksgiving Native American Heritage Day.
These celebrations of Native Americans on various dates are important. But they’re not quite the same as those that celebrate on the day once reserved to celebrate Columbus.
Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this semi-official holiday.
Ideas For Celebrating Native American Day
In areas that celebrate Native American Day government offices may be closed, just like for Columbus Day. Schools and some businesses may also close.
As for what you personally can do, if you live in an area that does celebrate the day, see if any local organizations or community groups are having any events. You may find educational events or pow wows to raise awareness of Native American history and traditions.
Even if you don’t live in an area where Native American Day is an official celebration, you may prefer to celebrate native peoples over Columbus. If so, see if you can build momentum in your community for starting a Native American Day tradition.
You may also like to learn more about Native American history, traditions and culture. Consider starting here:
- Native American Cultures
- Native American History
- Dakota executions during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862
- Soul Wound: The Legacy of Native American Schools
You might also be interested in books on the subject:
- Spirits of the Earth: A Guide to Native American Nature Symbols, Stories, and Ceremonies, by Robert Lake-Thom
- In the Hands of the Great Spirit: The 20,000-Year History of American Indians, by Jake Page
- An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States (ReVisioning American History), by Toxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Dates for Future Native American Day Celebrations
Since the day is the same as Columbus Day, which still appears on most calendars, you’re not likely to forget the date. But just in case, here’s a quick cheat sheet listing the dates of the 2nd Monday in October for the next few years.
- 2019 – Monday, October 14
- 2020 – Monday, October 12
- 2021 – Monday, October 11
- 2022 – Monday, October 10
- 2023 – Monday, October 9
- 2024 – Monday, October 14
- 2025 – Monday, October 13
- 2026 – Monday, October 12
- 2027 – Monday, October 11
- 2028 – Monday, October 9
- 2029 – Monday, October 8
Will you be ditching Columbus Day in favor of Native American Day this year?
[…] Native American Day: On the 2nd Monday in October—also known as Columbus Day—we celebrate the peoples who were already here when Columbus arrived. Some communities & schools have replaced Columbus Day with Native American (or Indigenous People’s) Day. Others celebrate both. […]