In 2021, President Joe Biden issued the first-ever presidential proclamation of Indigenous Peoples Day. He said in a statement that the day is meant to "honor America's first inhabitants and the Tribal Nations that continue to thrive today." He last marked Indigenous Peoples Day in 2024.
President Donald Trump made clear in April that he would not follow his predecessor's practice of recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day alongside Columbus Day in October. He accused Democrats of denigrating the explorer's legacy as he pressed his campaign to restore what he argues are traditional American icons.
On Thursday, Trump issued a proclamation for Columbus Day but not Indigenous Peoples Day. In his first term, Trump recognized National Native American Heritage Month, which takes place in November.
Native American people across the country will honor their centuries-long history of resilience with ceremonies, dances, rallies and more for Indigenous Peoples Day. We have partnered with the Indigenous-led news organization ICT to share many of these events with you here.
Indigenous Peoples Day is typically observed on the second Monday in October, the same day as Columbus Day, a federal holiday established decades ago to recognize Columbus' sighting in 1492 of what came to be known as the Americas.
Although Indigenous Peoples Day is not a federal holiday, 17 states — including Washington, South Dakota and Maine — as well as Washington, D.C., have holidays honoring Native Americans, according to the Pew Research Center. Many of these state holidays are paired with Columbus Day or replace it altogether. Dozens of cities and school systems also observe Indigenous Peoples Day.
A sacred lake, a Columbus statue, and an Indigenous people's long struggle for land.
Despite President Donald Trump declaring explorer Christopher Columbus an American hero who has wrongly been erased from history in recent years, multiple tribes across the country celebrated Monday as Indigenous Peoples Day. His proclamation is the latest perceived slight toward tribal and Indigenous communities. By Terry Tang. UPCOMING at noon today. With photos.
ICT, formerly Indian Country Today, is keeping a running list of Indigenous Peoples Day events happening from coast to coast. See some highlights here, and go to ICT's website for a more comprehensive list, plus additional details on events happening in your cities and states.
EASTERN TIME
— GEORGIA: Bad River documentary screen and talkback, Atlanta. Monday.
— MARYLAND: Johns Hopkins annual powwow, Baltimore. Monday.
— MASSACHUSETTS: Indigenous Peoples Day Observance, Newburyport. Saturday.
— MICHIGAN: Indigenous Peoples' Day 2025, Mt. Pleasant. Monday.
— NEW YORK: Indigenous Peoples' Day NYC 2025, Randall's Island Park, New York. Sunday-Monday.
— NORTH CAROLINA: UNC Pembroke Indigenous Peoples' Day, Pembroke. Monday.
— OHIO: Indigenous Peoples' Day Convergence, Cincinnati. Friday-Monday.
— VIRGINIA: Richmond Indigenous Peoples' Day, Richmond. Monday.
— WASHINGTON, DC: 33rd Annual Indigenous Peoples' Day in DC, Meridian Hill Park. Monday.
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CENTRAL TIME
— ILLINOIS: Indigenous Peoples' Day Seed Collection, Mahomet. Monday.
— INDIANA: Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration, Indianapolis. Monday.
— IOWA: Indigenous Iowans' Day, Urbandale. Saturday.
— KANSAS: Indigenous Peoples' Day, Bonner Springs. Monday.
— MINNESOTA: Indigenous Peoples' Day Mankato, Mankato. Thursday-Friday, Monday.
— MISSOURI: Indigenous Peoples' Celebration, St. Louis. Saturday-Monday.
— NORTH DAKOTA: Indigenous Peoples' Day Gathering, Minot. Monday.
— OKLAHOMA: Indigenous Peoples' Day Powwow, Lawton. Saturday.
— SOUTH DAKOTA: Indigenous Peoples' Day Parade, Sioux Falls. Monday.
— TEXAS: Indigenous Peoples' Day at the Texas State Fair, Dallas. Monday.
— WISCONSIN: Indigenous Peoples' Day Ho-Chunk Nation, La Crosse. Monday.
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MOUNTAIN TIME
— ARIZONA: Indigenous Peoples' Day 2025: Everybody Dance, Phoenix. Monday.
— COLORADO: Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration, Denver. Monday.
— MONTANA: Round Dance and Vendors Show, Billings. Saturday.
— NEW MEXICO: 3rd Annual Honoring Native Nations Powwow, Santa Fe. Monday.
— SOUTH DAKOTA: Remembering the Children Memorial Walk, Rapid City. Monday.
— UTAH: Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebration, Millcreek. Monday.
— WYOMING: Wind River Buffalo Bash, Kinnear. Monday.
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PACIFIC TIME
— CALIFORNIA: Indigenous Peoples' Day Powwow and Market, Berkeley. Saturday.
— OREGON: Indigenous Peoples' Day Paddle, Portland. Sunday.
— WASHINGTON: Indigenous People's Day Celebration, Seattle. Monday. ___
ALASKA TIME
— ALASKA: 42nd Annual Elders and Youth Conference, Anchorage. Sunday-Wednesday.
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