Many Americans might not know too much about Indigenous Peoples' Day or why it should be recognized. Indigenous people have contributed to the production of our nation, and we often forget about their rich and unique history. We now understand and recognize the diversity of US history.
Monday, October 11, 2021, we will be recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day. Indigenous Peoples' Day will serve as the acknowledgment of the rich culture and heritage of the indigenous people who had inhabited the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492.
As we strive to build our domestic relations, we must acknowledge that our country's narrative has not always been accurate when discussing historical events. Christopher Columbus has been credited for discovering the Americas. Nonetheless, we know the Americas had inhabitants before the arrival of Christopher Columbus or any other European settlers. For many indigenous people, recognizing Columbus Day is a painful reminder of the broken agreements and colonial oppression of Columbus's settlement on American land. Indigenous Peoples' Day promotes awareness and acknowledgment of the interaction between Indigenous people and Europeans that later created the United States of America as we know it.
History has not always recognized the numerous indigenous tribes due to the lack of written records and oppression. However, tribal nations still hold generational stories describing the history of the Americas. Indigenous Peoples' Day gives our country a new opportunity to rethink our establishment and recognizes indigenous people's influence and history throughout the United States.
As we progress and strive for equality, we also celebrate our unique history and all who contributed. We also want to promote awareness of Indigenous Peoples' Day as a way to pay homage to those who came before, those who are present, and those who will soon make a difference. We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it. We can offer support and recognition to those still with us as we celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day.
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