Though the White House insisted on pushing a particularly offensive, whitewashed version of history that promotes colonialism and ignores literal genocide to honor Columbus Day, many states and cities in the United States have come to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead. Places that have made the important shift include Alaska, Maine, Hawaii, Vermont, Oregon, Washington state, Washington D.C., South Dakota, Virginia, North Carolina, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Alabama and Oklahoma celebrate both days.
More important, however, is the number of people honoring and centering Native lives. On Twitter, between #SettlerSaturday and Indigenous Peoples’ Day (also called IPD), people are sharing resources and roundups on Indigenous books, movies, music, and more. Let’s check some highlights out below, as well as resources on how to be an effective ally to Native communities.
First, a little reminder about who actually discovered what…
Hint: Columbus didn’t “discover” anything.
And many of us—especially white people—are on stolen land.
You can support Indigenous artists and creators by checking out their TV shows and movies.
And listening to Indigenous music:
Read Indigenous books and educational resources (and remember, part of allyship is taking time to educate yourself instead of asking people to explain things for you).
And of course, educate people in your life about the history of colonialism, including the long-term effects it’s had on the environment, climate change, intergenerational trauma, and the numerous obstacles Indigenous people face today, from voting access to health care. Buying, renting, streaming, or otherwise promoting Native media, criticism, and cultural conversations is also a form of allyship in that it centers Indigenous life and perspectives in everyday dialogue. And of course, the monetary support chips away at generations of economic imbalance.
Elected officials tweeted about IPD as well.
And check out some of our resources on allyship, including an interview on how to be an effective ally to Native people, tips for being an ally without centering yourself, and when it comes to activism, how to support a cause when you disagree with its tactics.
Indigenous communities are systemically excluded from voting because of gerrymandering and suppression. You can sign this petition to encourage members of Congress to pass the Native American Voting Rights Act.
