Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2023 – Monday, October 9! Happy National Indigenous Peoples’ Day is observed on the 2nd Monday of October, this year the date falls on October 9, which is celebrated to recognize Native American traditions and history. This day is important because it overlaps with the government commemoration of Columbus Day and is viewed by a lot of people as an anti-Columbus Day holiday. People are invited to recognize and honor the numerous indigenous people who have historically resided and continue to live in the United States and its regions on this day. The day is dedicated to remembering their tribal heritage and the terrible events that have both wounded and empowered their communities.
History of Indigenous Peoples’ Day
The first seeds of Indigenous Peoples’ Day were planted in 1977 during a United Nations worldwide meeting against injustice. The state of South Dakota started the initial celebration in 1989 and then states like- Berkeley, California, and Santa Cruz, California, followed suit.

Despite the day being known as Columbus Day until 1937, a lot of people started to rename it to Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor the Native American people’s unique culture and lifestyles.
Columbus Day was always painful for Native Americans since it honored the terrible history of 500 years of colonial agony and tyranny by European explorers like Columbus and others who landed in America. Indigenous Peoples’ Day highlights the sorrow, humiliation, and betrayals that the Columbus Day celebration stands for. Prior to his arrival, the indigenous peoples were self-sufficient societies that had survived for thousands of years.
With the passing of years, the campaign to rename Columbus Day Indigenous Peoples’ Day expanded across the United States of America, reaching more and more states, towns, and cities. Today, several regions have chosen to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and it appears that there is an increased number of people who are willing to succumb to the new celebratory day. to the concept every month.
Even in regions that do not recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the excitement for Columbus Day is waning. Over 50% of the states in the United States do not require their employees to take a paid vacation on Columbus Day. Regardless of how prevalent this tendency is, there are certain regions that decline to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day commemorates, honors, promotes, and respects the beautiful ways of life of Indigenous Peoples all throughout the world, not only in America. Their lifestyle and tradition provide tremendous lessons and ideas on how we may live more responsibly.
When did Columbus Day become Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
It was around 1992 when Columbus Day was renamed Indigenous Peoples’ Day in retaliation for the murders of Indigenous People which were caused by the Europeans.
Why shouldn’t we celebrate Columbus Day?
Celebrating Happy Columbus Day and greedy sick people like Columbus contradicts the fundamental nature of indigenous peoples since he was the one to initiate the mass genocide of the Native Americans.
How To Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2023?
1. Read some books on Indigenous History or Literature
Reading surely brings out revelations and reflections if they are done from the right sources. Thus, to celebrate the day, one can enjoy reading these books such as “1491: New Revelations of The Americas Before Columbus” by Charles C. Mann, “An Indigenous People’s History of The United States” by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, and “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” by Dee Brown, etc. are some of the books that are definitely worth checking out. Moreover, you can also choose some books of your own preference, all you have to do is Google.
2. Attend an event
The Native Americans and various organizations of theirs arrange seminars on this day to put a spotlight on the truth and make people aware and sometimes simply to not forget their own painful history, arranges diverse events. You can join some of these events and if you feel like volunteering or being part of their event, maybe they wouldn’t mind!
3. Host a movie screening
There are some amazing movies based on the lives and history of the Native Americans such as “Songs My Brothers Taught Me” (2015), “Gather” (2020), and “Indian Horse” (2017), “Dances with Wolves” etc. You can choose one of your choices and start to watch along with some friends and popcorn.
Why We Love to Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Indigenous people are the original inhabitants of North America and thus celebrating a day that deserves to shouldn’t come off as a surprise. Through this day the collective healing of the indigenous people gains some effective traction through the recognizance, appreciation, and acceptance of the crimes that happened against their lives, tradition,s and culture. It’s a moral obligation for anyone with a heart to stand in solidarity with the indigenous people and stand at the right side of history for once!
Indigenous Peoples Day Quotes, Wishes, Messages, Images, Memes, Gif, Greetings, Sayings, Status, Captions 2023:
“I guess you could say that we indigenous people are on the verge of turning it all upside down.” – Pauline Tangiora
“The truth is nobody can own anything. That was an unheard-of concept among indigenous people. We invented that.” – Tom Shadyac
“We are not myths of the past, ruins in the jungle, or zoos. We are people and we want to be respected, not to be victims of intolerance and racism.” – Rigoberta Menchu
This is a coca leaf. This is not cocaine. This represents the indigenous culture of the Andes region. ” » Evo Morales
“Even though we are on different boats you are in your boat and we in our boat are sharing in the same river of life.” » Chief Oren Lyons
“Drawing from tragic nuclear lessons learned by natives
We see that the testing, development, and use of nuclear weapons are a violation of all human laws. ” » Hilda Lini
“Everything is connected like the blood that binds, We do not weave the web of life. We’re just a rope there. Whatever we do on the web, we do for ourselves. ” » Chief Seattle
“Indigenous peoples have found that Christianity is not a Western one but a reality – ‘translated’ in any sense.” » Nancy Pearcey
“One of the things my parents taught me, and I will always be grateful for this gift, is not to let anyone else explain it to me.” » Wilma Mankiller
_This Indigenous Peoples Day, we remain with our Native sisters and siblings in their battle for human rights and essential respect.
_We don’t require Indigenous Peoples Day to be helped to remember how lovely our societies are. We need Indigenous Peoples Day to delete Columbus from our memory like he endeavored to eradicate us.
_To my indigenous siblings and sisters: we can’t without any help fix 526 years of abuse, simply be you. Our reality is our opposition. It’s a decent day to be indigenous.
_This Indigenous Peoples Day, first thing we can do is vow to remain with Indigenous ladies, who face excessively high rates of sexual and abusive behavior at home.
_I bolster indigenous individuals wherever on the planet.
_In respect of Indigenous Peoples Day, invest some energy with our Native American Poetry and Culture accumulation.
_This is local land. The land must be come back to local peoples. Upbeat Indigenous People’s Day
_Dear Indigenous Youth today and every day is your day. We are here for you, you have a place in each space, and we adore you.
_Happy Indigenous Peoples Day! Today we praise the flexibility of the Native American people group.
_We are glad to be a piece of a bigger, worldwide development to enable Indigenous youth, pioneers, thoughts, and societies, with the goal that we may all make a superior future together.
_It’s Indigenous Peoples Day! Raise Native Voices, Read Native Lit, Watch Native Movies….
_Buy Native! Regardless of whether you pursue Native individuals and need to help them for the work they do instruct folx on Native issues.
Celebration Date of Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2022 | October 10 | Monday |
2023 | October 9 | Monday |
2024 | October 14 | Monday |
2025 | October 13 | Monday |
2026 | October 12 | Monday |
General Disclaimer: Every year, the United States celebrates over 1,600 National Days. So, Don’t miss a single Celebration Day. Chill, Enjoy, and Celebrate Every Day with National Day Time!