Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October--on October 10 this year--recognizing and honoring the beautiful traditions and cultures of Indigenous people, not just in America, but around the world. Their way of life and culture carries wisdom and valuable insights into how we can live life more sustainably.

The first seed of Indigenous Peoples’ Day was planted at a U.N. international conference on discrimination in 1977. The first state to recognize the day was South Dakota in 1989. Berkeley, California, and Santa Cruz followed suit.

Although the day was still considered Columbus Day up to 1937, many people began calling it Indigenous Peoples’ Day to celebrate the rich culture and the lives of the Native American people.

Today, 14 U.S. states celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day and not Columbus Day, as well as the District of Columbia. More than 130 cities also celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

While Seattle, Tacoma and other cities in Washington State observe Indigenous Peoples' Day as a holiday, it is not observed as a state holiday. November is National Native American Heritage Month and Washington State observes Native American Heritage Day as a holiday on November 25 in 2022.