Today, on Indigenous Peoples Day, we honor and celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous people and communities across the nation. These communities were the original stewards and caretakers of the lands in which we work and live. We recognize the resilience, creativity, and strength of Native American peoples, and we also acknowledge the injustices they have endured.
Indigenous People’s Day is often celebrated alongside or in place of Columbus Day. While Columbus Day recognizes the arrival of Christopher Columbus in North America and the start of the “new world,” we now know that the world he arrived in was already occupied by Indigenous people that subsequently suffered brutal colonization and oppression. Most Americans have only been exposed to parts of the story told through a limited lens of history books and popular media. By recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we can move towards a more inclusive and honest understanding of history, and in turn, help restore honor, dignity, and identity to Indigenous peoples.
In 2021, President Biden became the first U.S. President to federally recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous People’s Day. Since then, approximately 216 cities and 23 states recognize Indigenous People’s Day or similar by proclamation or as an official holiday.
The IATSE Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee stands with our Indigenous kin and communities in their fight for recognition, rights, and better conditions. We encourage members to uplift Indigenous voices, to challenge assumptions, and learn about the Indigenous communities within our jurisdictions. Below are a few resources to start.
Article: The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian article “Unlearning Columbus Day Myths: Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day”
Resource: The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian site Native Knowledge 360° provides resources for learning new perspectives that grant a more accurate and comprehensive view on Native American history and cultures.
Webinar: The IATSE webinar on the importance of land acknowledgments, and how to create one can be viewed here: Land Acknowledgements: The Land We Are On and Why We Acknowledge It
To learn more about which Indigenous territories you may be on, you can visit: Native Lands (native-lands.ca)