10/12/2026
Happy Indigenous Peoples Day! Indigenous Peoples' Day celebrates the history and contributions of Native Americans and other Indigenous peoples.
While it's not an official federal holiday, dozens of states observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day in some way, either in place of—or in addition to—Columbus Day. Many cities and school systems also observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
There has been an ongoing effort to formally designate Indigenous Peoples’ Day a federal holiday. “Our country has long failed to recognize and acknowledge its dark history of erasure and harm brought upon the first inhabitants of the Americas,” said California Congresswoman Norma Torres in a 2023 statement.
“By designating Indigenous Peoples’ Day a federal holiday, we take a small but important step toward recognizing the injustices in our nation’s history and uplifting the vibrant traditions, history, and culture of all Indigenous communities—an integral part of the cultural fabric of the United States," the statement added.
This is a picture of "Indigenous Mural" (2020) by Yatika Starr Fields. Painted in honor of Mizzou’s indigenous population and its student group Four Directions, this mural captures the kaleidoscopic colors and movement the artist remembers as a child witnessing Native American dance. The piece also features a circle representing the four directions. The mural can be seen in the Mizzou Student Center!
Learn more about the history of Indigenous Peoples Day by visiting https://www.history.com/articles/indigenous-peoples-day-history or by searching "Indigenous Peoples Day" on history.com
