Today, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we pause to honor and celebrate the histories, cultures, and enduring contributions of Indigenous people and communities. These communities, made up of the original caretakers of the land on which we live and work, carry forward knowledge, traditions, and resilience despite centuries of violence, displacement, and erasure.
In 2021, President Biden became the first U.S. President to federally recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous People’s Day. Although not an official federal holiday, 23 states and over 200 cities officially recognize the day.
Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a way to correct the incomplete story told by Columbus Day, in recognizing that the world that Columbus “discovered” was already a thriving interconnected network of hundreds of Indigenous nations with their own languages, governments, and cultural practices. By lifting this day up, we commit to telling a fuller story that acknowledges the harm of colonization while also celebrating the creativity, contributions and survival of Indigenous peoples of the Americas.
We are living in a time when book bans, curriculum restrictions, and political attacks on diversity and equity seek to diminish Indigenous history and identity. In this climate, commemorating Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an act of resistance against erasure and a step towards truth, justice, and reconciliation. Indigenous communities still fight for sovereignty and representation in policy decisions, environmental justice, protecting water sources and sacred lands, treaty rights, preservation of language and customs. These issues are human issues, labor issues, and justice that affects everyone.
For IATSE, this commitment extends to our work and our communities. We stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples who continue the fight for sovereignty, fair treatment, and visibility. We recognize the unique challenges that Indigenous workers face, and the contributions of our Indigenous members who continue to enrich our union and our industries. On behalf of the IATSE DEI Committee, we stand proudly today, and every day, with our Indigenous kin.
IATSE members and friends are encouraged to take this day as an opportunity for learning and engagement. Below are some suggestions on how to do so:
- Reflect on the land you live and work using: https://native-land.ca
- Explore educational materials such as the Smithsonian’s Native Knowledge 360: https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360
- Support Indigenous-led initiatives, art and storytelling
