The importance of recognition – celebrating Indigenous People’s Day

Indigenous People’s Day is our day to celebrate who we are – the original inhabitants of this land. It’s a time when we honor our ancestors, their wisdom, and the rich cultures they’ve passed down to us. This day represents our resilience in the face of centuries of colonization, displacement, and attempts to erase our identities. By reclaiming this day from Columbus, we’re asserting our right to tell our own stories and challenge the myths that have long surrounded our history. It’s not just about the past, though. Indigenous People’s Day is also about our present and future – a chance to share our vibrant, living cultures and to bring attention to the issues our communities still face today. For us, it’s a day of pride, a call for respect and understanding, and an opportunity to educate others about who we really are, not who history books have often portrayed us to be.

The resolution to honor Indigenous People’s Day was first adopted by the city of Portland on Oct 7, 2015. It was seen by many in the Native and allied communities as a step in the right direction. That is significant, given that Portland was not only built on lands of multiple Native Peoples, but was also a major destination city during the 1950s for Native Americans relocated under the federal government’s termination and relocation policies of that era.

In 2021, the Oregon State Legislature passed HB 2526, the bill was (sponsored by State Representative and NAYA Director of Family Services Tawna Sanchez, joined by Rep’s Jeff Reardon and Janeen Sollman, officially marking the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

NAYA honors this holiday by giving staff a day to reflect and honor as they wish. However, two dedicated staffers, Food Sovereignty Garden Coordinator Bonz Wykman, and Indigenous Food Sovereignty Coordinator Lucy Suppah, will be on campus to host a very special community event in NAYA’s Community Garden from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Please join us and show your appreciation and support for our community!

Our garden event is only one of many celebrations you can take part in on this day. The city of Gladstone has poetry from Eugene Douglas Johnson (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians) and keynote speaker David G. Lewis, PhD (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.) The Museum of Natural and Cultural History in Eugene is offering free admission, and in Salem, you can attend Indigenous Now’s celebration at the Gerry Frank Ampitheater from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Join us in the Garden on October 14th, or at any of our community events. Celebrate Indigenous Peoples every day!