DDS Honors Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2021
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October, on October 11 this year, to value the cultures and histories of the Native American people. The day is celebrated for reflecting on their tribal roots and the tragic past that hurt but united their communities. The first seed of Indigenous Peoples’ Day was planted at a U.N. international conference on discrimination in 1977. The first state to recognize the day was South Dakota in 1989. Berkeley, California, and Santa Cruz followed suit. Although the day was still considered Columbus Day up to 1937, many people began calling it Indigenous Peoples’ Day to celebrate the rich culture and the lives of the Native American people.*
For Native Americans, Columbus Day has long been hurtful. It reminds the cruel experiences of colonial violence at the hands of European settlers and those who colonized the Americas. Across the US, many cities have ended the celebration of the Christopher Columbus in to honor Indigenous people and their resiliency in the face of violence by European explorers. At DDS, our hearts go out to Indigenous peoples across America and we stand with them through all thick and thin.
Here are a few ways you can celebrate and support the Hispanic community this month:
➤ Learn whose land you are on
➤ Attend a local or virtual Indigenous Peoples Day event.
➤ Amplify Indigenous Voices
➤ Take Action to Change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day
➤ Share UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples with 10 friends
➤ Get Involved in the #LandBack Movement
As a diverse nation, it is clear that we have much to learn, many silenced voices to hear, and urgent requests to act upon. DDS believes in the growing recognition and celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day and we have a long road to go in giving equality to tribal communities so let’s take this day as kickstart of our efforts towards the Native Americans.
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