Honoring the 1st Peoples of America

History:

Honors the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples across the Americas. The day reclaims the narrative from Columbus Day, recognizing the resilience, wisdom, and sovereignty of Native nations whose lands were colonized and whose heritage continues to shape our world today.

In the United States, the Indigenous peoples include hundreds of sovereign nations with distinct languages, cultures, and traditions. Among the most well-known are the Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux (Lakota, Dakota, Nakota), Apache, Iroquois (Haudenosaunee), Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek (Muscogee), Seminole, Blackfeet, Cheyenne, Hopi, Zuni, Pueblo, Shawnee, Ute, Osage, Nez Perce, and Shoshone.

There are also Indigenous nations of the Pacific Northwest such as the Tlingit, Haida, and Salish, and those of Alaska, including the Inupiat and Yup’ik peoples. In the Great Basin and Southwest, the Hopi, Navajo (Diné), and Pueblo communities maintain rich spiritual and cultural traditions. The Wampanoag, Powhatan, and Pequot were among the first to encounter European settlers on the East Coast, while the Chumash, Tongva, and Ohlone are among the original peoples of California.

From the plains to the forests and the deserts to the coasts, these and many other tribes—more than 570 federally recognized nations today—represent the enduring strength, resilience, and living heritage of the first peoples of what is now the United States.

Why We Celebrate:

We celebrate to acknowledge truth, uplift Indigenous voices, and honor the first stewards of this land. It is a day to reflect, learn, and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities, celebrating their enduring legacy of strength, culture, and connection to the earth.

We love you, we thank you, we honor you!

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