For the past 81 years on the second Monday of October, Americans have celebrated Columbus Day, so…Happy Columbus Day everyone!

Who are we kidding?

Sure, in the U.S. we’ve been celebrating Columbus Day on this day, but why?

Lots of people seem to be asking that question, which explains why, as the Washington Post points out, “a growing number of cities are seeking to abolish the traditional holiday and replace it with a day that acknowledges and celebrates the millions of people who were already living here when Christopher Columbus arrived.”

Referred to as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day”, (also called Native Americans’ Day) at least 9 cities so far (and counting) have chosen to honor Native Americans instead of Christopher Columbus on the second Monday of October, including Albuquerque, St. Paul, and Olympia.

First conceived of in 1977, it wasn’t until 1990 at the Continental Gathering “500 Years of Indian Resistance,” in Quito, Ecuador that native groups representing 120 Indian Nations agreed to implement the new holiday. It would begin in 1992, exactly 500-years after Christopher Columbus’ expedition to the Americas, and the day would celebrate native culture in counter-protest to the government-sponsored Columbus Day.

Here’s how the Declaration of Quito, Ecuador begins, which was delivered at that gathering in 1990:

“The Indians of America have never abandoned our constant struggle against the conditions of oppression, discrimination and exploitation which were imposed upon us as a result of the European invasion of our ancestral territories.

Our struggle is not a mere conjunctural reflection of the memory of 500 years of oppression which the invaders, in complicity with the “democratic” governments of our countries, want to turn into events of jubilation and celebration. Our Indian People, Nations and Nationalities are basing our struggle on our identity, which shall lead us to true liberation. We are responding aggressively, and-commit ourselves to reject this “celebration.”

Altruvistas stands behind this change of events. Indigenous people, not their conquerors, deserve to be honored and respected. So today and every second Monday of October, we will join others in honoring the millions of Native Americans and their ancestors who have endured oppression, discrimination and exploitation.

TAKE ACTION!

      • International Day of the World’s Indigenous People: Instead of looking (or thinking) backwards, let’s look forward –to August 9th, which is International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. Observed on August 9th each year to promote and protect the rights of the world’s indigenous population, this event also recognizes the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection.
      • Why We Should Abolish Columbus Day Now –As if you needed a reason, here’s an interesting compilation of memes and readings about why Columbus Day should be abolished;
      • Have you ever considered learning more about indigenous rights through travel? Altruvistas and Amazon Watch organized past advocacy journeys to Ecuador where participants explored environmental justice and indigenous rights. If you have an idea for a similar customized trip, reach out and let’s talk.

Photo Credit: Flickr/NPS Photo by Erin Whittaker