What is Indigenous Peoples’ Day? The day may hold different meanings to different people. To some, it may only represent a day off from school or work, but to others it holds deep and personal meaning. 

Sophomore Lucca Arata believes, “We celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day to commemorate those who put hard work into finding out our very own land that we live on today.”

Indigenous Peoples’ Day acknowledges the Indigenous people and communities inhabiting America for the past hundreds of years. The holiday falls on the second Monday of October, landing on Monday, October 13th this year. The new name replaces the former name of Columbus Day, originally honoring the sailor who voyaged to Spain in 1492. 

It was not until last year that the lawmakers of the House and Senate passed a law declaring Indigenous Peoples’ Day a federal holiday and introducing the name change. The holiday is celebrated in over one hundred cities in the United States alone. 

Prior to the name change, protests ensued across the country, pleading with the government to honor the Indigenous People instead of Columbus. 

Member of the Indigenous Navajo group and president of the Navajo Nation, Jonothan Vez explains, “Transforming Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day will encourage young Navajos to have pride in the place and people they come from and the beauty they hold within” (New York Times). Many protesters disagreed with honoring Columbus’s actions towards Native Americans. Columbus enslaved Native Americans and exploited them for labor, ultimately disregarding the fact that the Native Americans were living on the land before his arrival. 

Not everyone is content with the name change, however. President Trump wrote this year, “The Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much” (New York Times). The day has brought a lot of conflict and controversy within America. 

Now, Indigenous Peoples’ Day brings a lot celebration across the country. It implements a sense of pride for the indigenous people who have been living in this country long before Europeans arrived. It should not be a day of violence or discontent. Ultimately, it should serve as a day to recognize the first inhabitants of the land we call home.

Sophomore Beckett Williams states, “Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a very positive way to pay respect to the Indigenous people who lived here long ago.” 

Overall, the day should honor those who cultivated and took care of our land. Through this holiday, the Indigenous people will be remembered in history and their heritage will be celebrated and preserved.