How Columbus Day Changed to Indigenous Peoples Day

For decades, Columbus Day was the national holiday celebrating how “in 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” However, this story we’ve been telling didn’t account for the impact of colonization on Native communities, including displacement and cultural erasure. 

In the last few years, many cities and states have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, so we can recognize and celebrate the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples.

Fun fact: South Dakota became the first state to adopt Indigenous Peoples Day in 1990, calling it “Native American Day.” 

Discovering the Indigenous Peoples of Your Region

Teaching kids about the Indigenous peoples native to your region helps connect them with the land and its history. It also highlights the importance of recognizing those who lived and thrived on this land long before colonization. 

Here are some easy ways to honor Native communities in your area before Indigenous Peoples Day and Thanksgiving.

Research Indigenous Land Acknowledgments

While acknowledging the original inhabitants of the land you’re living on is not a huge gesture, it’s a lovely first step. Once you know who originally inhabited the land, you can incorporate Indigenous land acknowledgments into holidays like Indigenous Peoples Day and Thanksgiving. 

The easiest way to research which tribal nations lived in your area is on sites like Native Land Digital, where you can enter your location and learn about the Native nations and languages associated with your region.

Check out a site like NEEF’s Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement, to figure out what to say!

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story. Photo courtesy of Amazon

Read One of Our Favorite Books for Kids by Indigenous Writers

• Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard
• Daughter of the Light-Footed People by Belen Medina
• Bowwow Powwow by Brenda J. Child
• We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom 
• Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley (This one is for bigger kids, and is also about to be a new Netflix series from the Obama’s company! It’s also one of my favorite books of the last 5 years.)

Eat Traditional Foods of Native American Cultures

Beans, corn, turkey, wild rice, pumpkins, seeds, nuts: these are probably already foods you’re eating this time of year!

Here are some great recipes incorporating these foods to try making and enjoying as a family.

Visit Local Museums and Cultural Centers

Many history and natural science museums offer exhibits about Native cultures and history. Some Native communities have their own cultural centers and museums that provide in-depth information on their history, traditions, and ongoing presence. This is a great way to engage your kids with hands-on activities and storytelling. Check your local museums and find one that has an exhibit!

Attend Local Indigenous Peoples Day Events

Check for local events in your community that honor Indigenous Peoples Day; your local calendar of events is packed with all kinds of events for every holiday. Check for gatherings, performances, and educational workshops that teach about Indigenous cultures. These events often include storytelling, traditional dancing, drumming, and art – perfect for kids!

Learn About Thanksgiving from an Indigenous Perspective

While Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude, family, food, and football for lots of Americans, the holiday’s history is complex and painful for many Native people. It marks the beginning of centuries of colonization and in many cultures is actually a National Day of Mourning.  

Educate your children about the Wampanoag people’s crucial role in the original Thanksgiving story. The Wampanoag people, the “People of the First Light,” are responsible for saving the Pilgrims from starvation and death. By talking about this with kids, you can work towards a more nuanced understanding of the holiday.

This article contains affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you make a purchase. There is no extra cost to the reader. We only recommend products and services that we have personally used or have thoroughly researched.