We celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day every year on the second Monday of October. This day in 2023 is a time to honor the resilience of the many tribes across America. It also recognizes their inherent sovereignty. Commits to keeping the Federal Government's trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations.
As written on the Indigenous People’s Initiative:
“Since time immemorial, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians have built vibrant and diverse cultures — safeguarding land, language, spirit, knowledge, and tradition across generations. Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the invaluable c contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognizes their inherent sovereignty, and commits to honoring the Federal Government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations.
Indigenous Peoples have, and continue to make, important contributions that have shaped and continue to shape our nation. It is important that we as Americans find opportunities to celebrate the histories, cultures, and resilience of contemporary Indigenous Peoples that includes the 574 tribal nations and more than 500 million Indigenous peoples from across the Americas.”
We are inspired by one of the many incredible displays of strength that we showcased from September's Resilient Woman of Montana, Elouise Cobell, also known as Yellow Bird Woman. Her traditional Blackfeet lands are in Montana. Elouise was the lead plaintiff in Cobell v Salazar, where she fought for 14 years for over 500,000 Native Americans to receive proper compensation for the mismanagement of their trust fund. Her exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Montana was a fun way of sharing her information, and we feature a new Resilient Woman each month.
Indigenous People’s Day was brought to fruition from the daring persistence of Native American activists in Denver and Seattle. Like Elouise Cobell's, their determination and passion were why so many have found some relief.
This October 9th, celebrate displays of resilience and strength that the Native Americans continuously display. We honor those who have come before us and those who continue to fight every day.
We can do this by learning about their cultures, supporting Native-owned businesses, and advocating for policies that protect their rights. Aho!
By Sherrie & Kamille Fairhurst
