Indigenous People’s Day Celebration

by EMMA GABBERT, CSU Public Relations Assistant

Return to the inSIDER

In the past, on the second Monday of October, the United States of America would celebrate Columbus Day, a holiday symbolizing the discovery of America. However, in recent years, a small number of states across the United States have decided to alter what the holiday is called and what it represents. The day, formerly known as “Columbus Day”, has been substituted for “Indigenous People’s Day”. Indigenous People’s Day reminds the American people of the Native Americans that gave their lives for the colonization of the United States of America. According to a TIME magazine article, Minnesota is one of only four states that recognizes this name modification. With a rich history in Native American culture, Minnesota made the decision to honor the Native Americans that were sacrificed by European pioneers. Furthermore, Minnesota State University, Mankato is one of only three universities in the entire nation, that officially recognizes Indigenous People’s Day, rather than Columbus Day. 

“Indigenous People’s Day celebration and recognition wasn’t put in place to erase any other piece of history, it’s just to finally include the indigenous perspective in history and that’s really the mission of this committee and the work that we’re doing in our community,” said Megan Heutmaker, vice-chair of Mankato’s Indigenous People’s Day and director of MSU’s American Indian Affairs.

KEYC News 12

In celebration of Indigenous People’s Day, Minnesota State University, Mankato’s American Indian Affairs, and Mankato’s Indigenous People’s Day committee are providing a large number of events that are open to people of all nationalities. A list of those events is posted below. These events serve as a way to honor and give recognition to the culture of Native Americans.

Friday: Minnesota State University, Mankato’s American Indian Affairs, and Mankato’s Indigenous People’s Day committee are sponsoring a festival with local food trucks and music on October 11, 5 – 9 p.m. in Hub Food Park on Riverfront Drive in Old Town Mankato. Enjoy a delicious meal or snack while listening to Bluedog, an American Indian blues band, which will begin to play at 6 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday: Minnesota State University, Mankato’s American Indian Affairs, and Mankato’s Indigenous People’s Day committee are providing a movie screening of “The Past is Alive Within Us” at Spotlight Theatres Man, 12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 1640, Mankato, Minnesota 56001. The film showing will take place on October 12 and October 13 at various times. Saturday, 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. and Sunday, 2 – 4 p.m. A description from Twin Cities PBS says, “This documentary examines one of the most difficult chapters of Minnesota’s history: the state’s involvement in the Dakota War as the Civil War was simultaneously raging. It’s a mix of historical information & contemporary stories & is designed to build a better understanding of historical interpretation and encourage critical thinking. It will look at the subject through the lens of public memory.” Tickets are available at the link below:

Showing #1

Showing #2

Showing #3

Monday: Minnesota State University, Mankato’s American Indian Affairs, and Mankato’s Indigenous People’s Day committee are hosting an Indigenous People’s Day Celebration Panel, October 14, 7 – 8 p.m. in the Centennial Student Union, rooms 253, 254, and 255. This panel of Native Americans leaders will share their experience as American Indians. They will also have a Q & A with the audience to address questions they may have. You can reserve a spot on the Facebook event page HERE.

To get more information about other events put on by Minnesota State University, Mankato’s American Indian Affairs, like their Facebook page!

Sources:

https://time.com/4968067/indigenous-peoples-day-columbus-day-cities/

https://www.tpt.org/the-past-is-alive-within-us-the-u-s-dakota-conflict/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *