Photo courtesy of Turquoise over Diamonds
“Among the Navajo People, turquoise is known to bring good fortune to the owner
and was commonly given to warriors of the community for protection before the battle.”
“The most American thing about America is American Indians.”
—Paul Chaat Smith (Comanche)
How are you celebrating this Monday, October 10, 2022? Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives, together with an increasing number of states, cities, towns across the United States, is celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day on this day.
We will observe the holiday with a focus on increasing public awareness of the background, history, evolution and significance of this day.
Traditionally in the past, on the Second Monday in October, we celebrated Columbus Day, commemorating the date when Christopher Columbus (1451–1506) first set foot in the Americas on board his ship Santa Maria. Most non-Native Americans associate Christopher Columbus as having “discovered” America, i.e. being the first person to arrive in North America.
Today, 14 U.S. states as well as the District of Columbia are officially celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day and not Columbus Day. They are: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont and Wisconsin. South Dakota has Native American Day instead of Columbus Day and was the first state to replace Columbus Day back in 1989.
Want to know more about Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
The purpose of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which was first observed in 1990, is to celebrate the original inhabitants of North America, recognize and honor indigenous cultures, traditions and contributions throughout the world, and stand in solidarity with indigenous people and offer support to those who invest in and uplift indigenous communities.
According to a proclamation issued by the White House last year, “Since time immemorial, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians have built vibrant and diverse cultures — safeguarding land, language, spirit, knowledge, and tradition across the generations.”
For those of you interested in learning more about the history of Columbus Day and how Indigenous Peoples’ Day has evolved, don’t miss this recently published and enlightening article in the National Geographic written by Erin Blakemore: “Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day? How the holiday has been shaped by oppression.”
Here is another good article filled with history, timelines, facts and ways to celebrate: 2022 Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Did you know that the Indigenous Americans were the first to domesticate the strains of maize that produced popcorn thousands of years ago? Neither did we.
Eve’s Fund will continue its support of indigenous communities in every way we can!
For the past 17 years, Eve’s Fund has been privileged to work with young Native Americans living primarily on or near the Navajo Nation. Much of our work is accomplished in collaboration with national and local non-profits and other entities with similar missions, to promote hope and wellness to young Native Americans in need and their families.
There are so many areas of need in Native American communities that have been intensified during the pandemic. One of the biggest areas of concern is combating pandemic learning loss especially among Native American students.
Thanks to the generosity of individuals, organizations, and foundations who believe in our mission, in the coming months Eve’s Fund will be able to expand our scholarship programs, including promoting sports and physical activities for young people with disabilities through our Tribal Adaptive Student Athlete of the Year Scholarship Program, bring back our Magic Tree House Literacy Program into elementary schools and continue our other youth injury and suicide prevention initiatives and education programs on the Navajo Nation. All of these efforts will be aimed at making up for the learning losses that occurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thank you for joining us in celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2022 and together, increasing our nation’s awareness and understanding of Indigenous People, who inspired the founding of Eve’s Fund, and whose wisdom and insights can teach us how to live life more sustainably and with optimism for the future.
Thank you for supporting our mission and here’s to turquoise over diamonds on this special day!
Barbara Crowell Roy
President & Co-Founder, Eve’s Fund
Contact me here
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