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Community Celebrations: Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Day

Reese Oxner

— 2 min read
Community Celebrations: Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Day
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Columbus Day

Columbus Day has been celebrated in some form for over two centuries in the United States. Many have considered it a celebration of the start of life as we know it in the Americas. Many still observe Columbus day in celebration of the accomplishments of Italian Americans and of Catholic culture.

Indigenous Peoples Day: Honoring Heritage and Resilience

Indigenous Peoples Day is a day celebrating and recognizing the rich histories, cultures and contributions of Indigenous people and cultures.

It began as a counter celebration in protest of Columbus Day, recognizing the lasting harm Indigenous tribes suffered because of Columbus's contributions to the European colonization of the Americas. Columbus and other colonizers stole, robbed, oversaw sexual slavery, and helped spur the Atlantic slave trade and American Indian genocide. His and others’ actions also led to mass suicides among Indigenous people.

Many people choose to not celebrate Columbus Day and instead solely recognize Indigenous Peoples Day.

In 2021, Joe Biden formally commemorated the holiday in a presidential proclamation, the first U.S. president to do so. However, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is still not yet a recognized holiday under U.S. Federal Law.

A Day of Reflection and Action

  • Indigenous Peoples Day falls on the second Monday of October and both celebrates indigenous communities and sheds a spotlight on the history of colonization. It is also a time for continued calls for equity.

Schools, town offices, and Buzz HQ are closed on this day.

This list of resources will continue to grow as community members share insights and recommendations. For suggestions, please send an email to hello@burlington.buzz.

For those wishing to deepen their understanding of Indigenous histories and cultures, consider exploring these books and documentaries that highlight Indigenous voices and stories.

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