Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the contributions of Native American communities to the development of the United States, while simultaneously acknowledging the horrific policies of the United States’ government that significantly damaged indigenous tribes’ sovereignty and efforts to achieve political equality. Originally established in 1992 in Berkeley, CA, the holiday is celebrated on the same day as Columbus Day – the second Monday of October. This choice of date reinforces a counter-celebration against a figure who sparked the ensuing brutal treatment, and exploitation of, indigenous peoples during his and other European colonists’ campaigns for colonial expansion. In 2021, the White House issued an official memo formally commemorating Indigenous Peoples’ Day while acknowledging the “centuries-long campaign of violence … and terror wrought upon Native communities.” Only twelve states, however, have switched from commemorating Columbus Day to the new holiday.

Notably, New Mexico is one of those twelve states. Cities across the state have actively held events recognizing the impacts of Native American culture; Santa Fe recently hosted a three-day celebration honoring art and dance from various pueblos around New Mexico. Although local aims to celebrate the unique and distinctive features of Native American pueblos in our state have expanded, further expansion and promotion of similar endeavors is certainly necessary. Nonetheless, our school community has also been quite involved in such efforts; for example, renowned author, singer/songwriter, and speaker Tanaya Winder, whose lineage stems from Southern Ute, Paiute, Diné, and Duckwater Shoshone Tribes, delivered a powerful speech to Albuquerque Academy on October 9. Several of Winder’s messages, which were reinforced through her use of poetry and song, resonated with students and faculty alike. Peter Gloyd, Director of Diversity, Culture, and Belonging at the Academy, highlighted Winder’s emphasis on “planting seeds” of fiery excitement and positivity, as well as telling numerous detailed and personal stories from her childhood. Winder’s speech is the first in the Ogawa Speaker Series, which is led by Native American community members in the Ogawa family. The family includes the current head of the Board of Trustees, Diane Harrison Ogawa, as well as two Academy alumni (Katie ‘10 and Al ‘14).

The crimes committed against Native American communities by the United States government – specifically, the forceful removal of indigenous tribes from their land – can never truly be erased nor completely forgiven. Nevertheless, Indigenous Peoples’ Day offers an opportunity for all citizens of the U.S., and the government itself, to appreciate Native American culture in the form of recognizing the rich history and traditions of indigenous communities throughout the United States. Winder repeatedly alluded to fiercely acknowledging and embracing ancestral resistance; such forms of persistence and resilience characterize the importance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day to local communities and the nation alike.