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Recognize and Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day

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14.67% Complete

Sponsor: The Hunger Site

It's time to embrace a new perspective and honor the contributions of Indigenous Peoples. Take action!

It's time to embrace a new perspective and honor the contributions of Indigenous Peoples. Take action!

Indigenous Peoples' Day, celebrated on the second Monday of October, is a time to commemorate the Indigenous communities that have thrived on this land for thousands of years1. However, while numerous states and cities have embraced this observance, it has yet to receive the federal recognition it deserves2.

Here's why that recognition matters:

  1. Historical Reckoning: Acknowledging Indigenous Peoples' Day at the federal level is a crucial step in recognizing the painful history of colonization and dispossession that Indigenous communities endured for centuries3.
  2. Cultural Celebration: It's an opportunity to celebrate the vibrant cultures, languages, and traditions of Native American communities that have enriched our nation4.
  3. Dignity and Respect: Federal recognition through House5 and Senate6 bills demonstrates a commitment to treating Indigenous Peoples with the dignity, respect, and honor they deserve as the original inhabitants of this land.
  4. Justice and Reconciliation: It's a step towards addressing historical injustices and fostering reconciliation with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities across the country.
  5. Education and Awareness: Federal recognition would raise awareness about the challenges faced by Indigenous communities today, including discrimination, climate change, health disparities, and threats to Indigenous lands7.

Add Your Voice to the Cause

We believe that every signature counts and contributes to the momentum needed to enact change. By signing this petition, you're supporting the efforts to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day as a federal holiday. You're helping to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all Americans.

Take Action Now

Add your name to our petition and make your voice heard. Let's work together towards a brighter future that honors the legacy of Indigenous Peoples and promotes justice, dignity, and good faith for all.

More on this issue:

  1. Joseph R. Biden Jr., The White House (7 October 2022), "A Proclamation on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, 2022."
  2. Harmeet Kaur, CNN (10 October 2022), "What Indigenous Peoples’ Day means to Native Americans."
  3. Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Zinn Education Project (2023), "An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States."
  4. Native Hope (30 November 2017), "Keeping Culture Alive."
  5. Rep. Norma J. Torres, 117th Congress (30 September 2021), "H.R.5473 - Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act."
  6. Sen. Martin Heinrich, 117th Congress (30 September 2021), "S.2919 - Indigenous Peoples' Day Act."
  7. U.S. Government Accountability Office, "Tribal and Native American Issues."
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The Petition:

To the members of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary,

I am writing to express my wholehearted support for H.R.5473 - Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act and S.2919 - Indigenous Peoples' Day Act, which aim to federally recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day as an official holiday in the United States. These bills represent a significant step towards acknowledging the historical and cultural contributions of Indigenous Peoples while addressing the need for justice, dignity, and good faith.

Indigenous Peoples' Day is a day of great importance, as it provides an opportunity to honor and celebrate the rich heritage, resilience, and enduring contributions of Native Americans. For far too long, the history of Indigenous Peoples has been marginalized and their voices silenced. Federal recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day is an essential step towards rectifying this historical injustice.

By establishing Indigenous Peoples' Day as a federally recognized holiday, we demonstrate our commitment to upholding the dignity and rights of Indigenous communities. This recognition serves as a powerful symbol of our nation's dedication to justice, reconciliation, and fostering meaningful relationships with Tribal Nations.

Incorporating Indigenous Peoples' Day into our federal calendar also signifies our commitment to a more inclusive and equitable future for all Americans. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges faced by Indigenous communities today, including issues such as discrimination, climate change, health disparities, and threats to Indigenous lands.

I urge you to support H.R.5473 and S.2919, as these bills represent a critical step towards recognizing the cultural significance and historical contributions of Indigenous Peoples. Federal recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day will contribute to the dignity, justice, and good faith owed to Native Americans, fostering a stronger, more unified, and equitable United States.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I sincerely hope you will consider my support for these bills.

Sincerely,

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Signatures: