Teaching Multifaceted Lessons for Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day

In the spirit of recognizing and honouring the diverse cultures and histories of Indigenous peoples, communities across the United States and beyond are marking Indigenous Peoples' Day with a variety of events and activities.

Originating in 1992 in Berkeley, California, Indigenous Peoples' Day has since gained widespread recognition as an alternative to Columbus Day. This year, Mankato East High School in Mankato will celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day on October 2025, hosting a day filled with live music, cultural demonstrations, indigenous vendors, and planetarium showings, all of which are free and open to the public. Trinity School in New York City observed Indigenous Peoples' Day on October 13, 2023, with the school closed, providing a professional development day for staff.

The First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City and the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia are also hosting full days of Indigenous Peoples' Day programming, inviting the community to join in a variety of activities led by Indigenous groups from the region.

Indigenous peoples have lived across the Americas for centuries before European explorers arrived. From the Wampanoag, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Ojibwe (Chippewa), Menominee, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Navajo (Diné), Apache, Chinook, Tlingit-Haida, Chumash, Aleut (Unangan), Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians), to the numerous other tribes, each community has its own unique language and way of life.

The Age of Exploration, a period when European powers funded long-distance sea travel in search of new trade routes, territorial claims, and economic advantage, marked the beginning of sustained contact between Europe and the Americas. Christopher Columbus, born in Genoa, Italy, is often credited with discovering the Americas, but it was actually Leif Eriksson, a Norse sailor, who reached North America before Columbus around the year 1000 CE.

Columbus's voyages did not lead to the discovery of spices or gold, but they did ignite further European interest in transatlantic exploration and colonization. This period was marked by cultural exchange and conflict, setting in motion centuries of interaction between European and Indigenous cultures.

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy of the Northeast, formed in the 12th century, has had a significant influence on the structure of American democracy. The Mississippians, meanwhile, constructed mound cities along riverbanks and established complex trade and ceremonial networks.

In an effort to support inclusive education, our company In Context: Elementary offers a robust collection of articles, videos, photos, and more to support conversations about Indigenous Peoples' Day and other timely topics for young learners. The platform simplifies teaching complex historical narratives for young learners and supports a more inclusive classroom with features like read-aloud audio and built-in translation tools.

As we celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day, it's important to remember the rich and diverse history of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas and to continue to learn from and respect their cultures and traditions. October's second Monday is observed as both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day, providing an opportunity to teach young learners about different perspectives and to foster a more inclusive understanding of our shared history.

On a more local scale, the International Indian Treaty Council organizes an Indigenous Peoples Sunrise Ceremony on Alcatraz Island for Indigenous Peoples' Day and Thanksgiving, offering a powerful and moving reminder of the ongoing importance of recognizing and celebrating Indigenous cultures and histories.

In conclusion, Indigenous Peoples' Day is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, to learn from their histories, and to continue to work towards a more inclusive and respectful society.