We're Still Here: Why It's Still a Good Day to Be Indigenous

Being Indigenous doesn’t depend on who sits in the Oval Office. It doesn’t hinge on whether a president utters the words “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” or if federal websites decide to scrub Native achievements from their pages. Our strength is not defined by visibility in colonial spaces. Our strength comes from something much older, deeper, and more enduring.

We are still here.

Let’s talk about what happened. This past Thursday, the White House only released a proclamation for Columbus Day — nothing for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which has now been recognized in some form by more than 20 states and over 130 cities and towns. That silence was loud. But it wasn’t surprising.

After all, this is the same administration that stormed back into office declaring war on DEI initiatives. Federal agencies began purging mentions of contributions by people of color. Even the Defense Department — prior to renaming itself the Department of War — removed references to the Navajo Code Talkers from its website. It took serious backlash from Indian Country for them to quietly restore those mentions.

And just last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced he would not rescind the Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers who killed as many as 300 Lakota people — most of them unarmed women, children and elders — at the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre.  The pattern is clear: This administration will honor those who committed atrocities against Native peoples while erasing the contributions of those who served with distinction. 

So no, we weren’t shocked when Indigenous Peoples’ Day was erased at the federal level. But we’re also not deterred. We’ve always had to fight to be seen. And we’ve never needed permission to celebrate ourselves.

Let’s also be clear about something that gets twisted too often in this conversation: Being against honoring Columbus is not the same as being anti-Italian.

The criticism of Columbus is based on truth, not prejudice. His legacy is one of conquest, enslavement and genocide. He did not “discover” America — there were already thriving Indigenous nations across this continent thousands of years before 1492. 

What Columbus did do was initiate a wave of violence that forever altered the lives of Native peoples across the Americas. This is not debatable; it is historical fact, documented by scholars, and acknowledged by many — including Italians themselves.

Some Italian Americans have come forward to say they don’t want their cultural pride tied to Columbus. And they shouldn’t have to. Italian heritage can and should be celebrated through figures who reflect the best of that culture — not through a colonizer whose name has become synonymous with suffering in Indian Country. Being against Columbus statues and Columbus Day is not an attack on Italian identity, just as opposing Confederate monuments is not an attack on Southern culture. It’s about aligning public honor with shared values — truth, justice, and respect.

Let’s also reject the false idea that opposing Columbus is anti-American. If anything, it's deeply American to confront the full truth of our history. To question who we celebrate, and why. That’s what “to form a more perfect union” is about. That’s what progress looks like.

Today, we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day because it tells a more accurate story. It’s a day that recognizes the resilience of Native peoples — the original stewards of this land — and affirms our place in the present and the future, not just the past. But even if this day weren’t on the calendar, we would still be here, still celebrating our cultures, still fighting for our rights, and still loving our people.

Because every day is a good day to be Indigenous.

We carry forward languages that were nearly lost. We raise our children with teachings that go back generations. We protect sacred lands and sacred stories. We organize, vote, protest, create, lead, teach, and thrive. And we do it all while navigating the ongoing realities of colonization, invisibility, and erasure.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not just a counterpoint to Columbus Day—it’s a declaration. A refusal to be erased. A reminder that we are more than what happened to us. We are who we have always been.

So yes, even though the powers that be chose not to recognize us this year, we still recognize ourselves. We always have.
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Today and every day, it’s a good day to be Indigenous.

Across Indian Country, communities are gathering to celebrate through art, music, ceremony, and conversation.
Here are events happening across Indian Country: 
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration
Rapid City, SD
October 13, 2025

The community will celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a rally and march from 12–2 p.m. at the Memorial Park Bandshell, followed by a free concert, food trucks, and art vendors at Main Street Square. An Art Build will also be held on October 11 for those who want to help create visuals for the event by texting ART4IPD to 50302.
Indigenous Peoples Day
Lacrosse, WI
October 13, 2025

Daytime activities include trolley tours, and a lacrosse tournament at Myrick Park, along with vendors, education, and family-friendly programming. The evening program at UW–La Crosse’s Bluffs Ballroom will feature community tables, a shared dinner, and performances by Irene Keenan Jr., Waaksikra Voices, and the Hocak Dancers, followed by a keynote from Amy Lonetree.
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
Oneida, WI
October 13, 2025

The Oneida Nation will host an Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration behind the Norbert Hill Center near the Oneida Powwow Grounds. The day begins at 8:00 a.m. with a Sacred Tobacco Thanksgiving Ceremony. The event welcomes all who wish to celebrate and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Peoples Day Powwow
Minneapolis, MN
October 13, 2025

The event begins at 1 p.m. with doors opening and an Indigenous Freedom Rally, followed by Grand Entry at 3 p.m.and closing at 7 p.m. Highlights include Tiny Tots, a 1-Man Drum Contest, and a Traditional Showcase, with food trucks and Gatherings Café serving from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The first 500 guests will receive walking tacos at 1 p.m., and the first 100 registered dancers will earn an honorarium.
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
Iowa City, IA
October 12, 2025

Community members are invited to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area. The Black Angel will provide food at a discounted price, and the Eagle Feather Singers will perform throughout the afternoon. The event is free and open to the public. 
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
Traverse City, MI
October 13, 2025 

The Dennos Museum Center invites the community to a free Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration featuring learning, storytelling, and cultural performances. The event begins at 11 a.m. with storytime presented by TADL, followed by a powwow dancer presentation. Attendees can also enjoy a free book and take-home craft.
Field Museum’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Chicago, IL
October 13, 2025

The Field Museum will celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring storytelling, song, dance, and hands-on activities honoring Indigenous cultures. Highlights include performances by Starr Chief Eagle and Danza Azteca, plus an Indigi-Fair showcasing community partnerships and cultural learning.
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration
Leland, MI
October 13, 2025

Indigenous Peoples’ Day event will take place from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Old Art Building. The free event features the Dusty Bear Singers, traditional dancers, a panel on “Anishinaabeg Way of Life,” and a short film screening. Visitors can explore Anishinaabe art at the Leelanau Historical Society, enjoy Indigenous cuisine by Raphael Foods, and learn about local cultural connections to the land.
Indigenous Peoples Day Event
Salem, MA
October 13, 2025

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Main Atrium. Included with admission, the event invites visitors to help create a large woven paper mural inspired by wampum belts, honoring the artistry of Northeastern Indigenous nations such as the Wampanoag, Massachusett, and Narragansettpeoples. Participants can add their own “bead” to share messages of respect, gratitude, and solidarity.
NSU Indigneous Peoples Day
Talequah, OK
October 13, 2025

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Northeastern State University’s Beta Field starting at 2 p.m. The event features traditional games, speakers, and dinner provided by The Dogfather at 5:30 p.m. (free for the first 200 guests), followed by a solidarity march around campus at 6:30 p.m. 
Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend Celebration
Rochester, NY
October 11-13, 2025
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The Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) will host “Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Indigenous Ingenuity,” open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event, included with museum admission, invites visitors to explore Indigenous innovations through Native Youth Olympic games, bridge‐building engineering displays, and activities spotlighting Navajo Code Talkers and other cultural contributions.