Indigenous Peoples' Day or Columbus Day?

 

boroughofwenonah.com

The second Monday in October is a Federal Holiday in the United States. The question of what it should be called, however, is a question that, for now, will be unsettled. Historyoftheholiday.com does an excellent job of discussing how the 20th century holiday, Columbus Day, has begun to transition to Indigenous Peoples' Day. 

I couldn't have said it better than that site explains it! 

Another well-written look specifically at Indigenous Peoples' Day is this is from the October Michigan D.A.R. newsletter:

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is October 13, 2025. It’s a great time to immerse yourself in the history and culture of Michigan’s 12 federally recognized tribes and 4 state recognized tribes. 

Visit a museum! These are just a few of Michigan’s museums offering excellent information on the rich histories and cultures of American Indians in our state; Ziibiwing Center in Mt. Pleasant, Besser Museum in Alpena, Andrew J. Blackbird Museum in Harbor Springs, Potawatomi Heritage Center in Wilson, Museum of Ojibwa Culture in St. Ignace. 

Attend a powwow! On October 13, 2025 go the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Powwow at Hart Plaza in Downtown Detroit – the first powwow hosted in 30 years! The powwow is open to the public and there will be dancing, singing, and plenty of delicious food. 

National American Indian Heritage Month starts on November 1^st. It is a month-long celebration and a time for education and awareness of the many contributions of American Indians in our country. The 2025 BIA theme for the month is “Weaving together our past, present and future”. ***

The month was formally designated inespecially 1990 by President George H. W. Bush, who proclaimed November as National American Indian Heritage Month. Legislation was signed in 2009 by President Barack Obama to permanently designate the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day. 

This is a time to honor the diverse cultures, histories, and importance of American Indian communities, to educate the public about the challenges Indigenous people have encountered, and to acknowledge and support the many tribes in our country. 

*** Actually that was chosen for 2024. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has not chosen a theme for 2025 and the current government shutdown has https://www.bia.gov not being updated.

If you wonder which of the two is celebrated "offiffiffic'ally" where you are, the Pew Research Center has the answers including "Depending on where in the United States you live and for whom you work, Columbus Day may be a paid day off, an unpaid commemorative day, another holiday entirely or a regular Monday."

Looking at yet another site, academickids.com so well says: 

 While the two holidays have different focuses, they share a date and often spark discussions about history, exploration, and the importance of understanding multiple perspectives.

Of course I want to share the stories of our Michigan (and beyond into the Great Lakes Region, including up into Canada) People of the Three Fires (the Anishinaabe), the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi. For now I will let the dust settle on this and wait until November.