It is long past due, but gratefully President Biden has stepped up to the plate to recognize the indiginous Native Americans, Native Alaskans, and Native Hawaiians who have lived on this land for hundreds of years prior to the European settlers. This second Monday of October has been celebrated for more than 200 years to honor Christopher Columbus; but as most know, it was the Vikings and not the Italian explorer, who first discovered America. Indiginous Peoples Day was created to honor the culture, language, customs, and contributions of the native citizens of this country. It is a beginning, but infinitesimal to making the reparations that these people are due. South Dakota replaced the national Columbus Day holiday in 1990, with Native Americans Day. Several other states have followed suit with their own descriptive names, as well as different dates, but until today, these were not federally observed holidays. A few were celebrated in addition to Columbus Day and others dropped Columbus Day entirely. I am not clear if Biden’s proclamation means that Indiginous Peoples Day is meant to replace Columbus Day, but I doubt that many of the people living here today give a hoot about Columbus.
In Canada, the second Monday in October is celebrated as Thanksgiving Day. Since winters are more brutal in the north, it makes sense. Canadians do not make as big a deal of the holiday as do Americans; and until recently, they have not adopted the consumer craze of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It does seem fitting that their Thanksgiving coincides with Indigenous Peoples Day since the first Thanksgivings were celebrated with Native Americans alongside white settlers.
It seems that nearly every day of the year has been proclaimed to honor someone or something. In addition to the well known Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, there is a Grandparent’s Day (which few people know about) Secretary’s Day, National Nurses Day, and Women’s Equality Day, to name only a few. I am not sure why we find it necessary to set aside days to observe these things. Celebration seems to be embedded in our DNA and human beings love any reason to party. Each day; however, should be a reason to celebrate – and honoring and respecting one another should be imbued in all people.
