VOCABULARY
Indigenous – adj., of or relating to the earliest known inhabitants of a place
Disrupt – v., to throw into disorder
Recognize – v., to admit that something exists
Hurtful – adj., causing pain, especially emotional
Glorified – v., to make something seem great
Colonial – adj., relating to people settling in a new place, often belonging to someone else
Oppression – n., cruel or unjust use of authority or power
Trauma – n., a psychological state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or injury
Erased – v., to wipe out, to make something disappear
Self-sufficient – adj. to be able to take care of oneself
Sustain – v., to keep up, to supply nourishment
Movement – n, series of acts working toward a desired end
History of Indigenous Peoples’ Day: today, October 13, 2025.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day began in 1977 as an idea expressed at a UN conference on discrimination. In 1990, South Dakota was the first state to recognize the day.
In 1992, protests and demonstrations disrupted planned Columbus Day celebrations in San Francisco and Santa Cruz. People began referring to that day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, to celebrate the rich culture and the lives of the Native American people. Soon, those cities also recognized the holiday.
For the Native Americans, Columbus Day was always hurtful as it glorified the violent past of 500 years of colonial torture and oppression by European explorers like Columbus. Indigenous Peoples’ Day draws attention to the pain, trauma, and broken promises that were erased by the celebration of Columbus Day. Before his arrival, the indigenous folk were successful self-sufficient communities that sustained life for thousands of years.
Year by year, the movement to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day spreads to more and more states, towns, and cities across the United States of America.*
*https://nationaltoday.com/indigenous-peoples-day/
