In a society being ripped apart by those wanting a sanitized version of history, and those insisting on the truth – warts and all – we offer Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an exciting example of this tension.  Ultimately, it is students who must decide for themselves which version makes the most sense.

The holiday originated several decades ago when Native activists were interested in protesting the celebration of Christopher Columbus.  These activists believed it necessary to reframe the narrative of American history.  For many generations, school curricula and national holidays glorified Columbus, erasing the indigenous people who already inhabited the Americas, and ignoring the genocide, land theft, and devastation caused by European colonization and the establishment of control over indigenous people.  

Columbus, celebrated for “discovering” America in 1492, is seen by many Indigenous people as a symbol of colonization and violence.  Historical records show that Columbus and his crew enslaved, killed, and brutally mistreated the Native people they encountered.  The European arrival also led to the introduction of diseases that decimated the Native populations, who had never been exposed to these pathogens and thus had no natural immunity.

Celebrating Columbus Day became a Federal holiday in 1937, partly to honor the contributions of Italian Americans at a time they, themselves, faced widespread discrimination.  Many Italian Americans still see the day as important to their heritage and place in America; however, proponents of Indigenous Peoples’ Day argue that celebrating Italian heritage doesn’t require the glorification of a controversial historical figure 

The idea for a day celebrating Indigenous peoples first gained attention in 1977 at a United Nations Conference.  Attendees asked that Columbus Day be replaced with a day of solidarity with Indigenous people.  This was part of a larger civil rights movement for Native Americans in the 1960s and 1970s.  During this time, protests and acts of civil disobedience were used to advocate for Indian rights.  

In 1990, South Dakota became the first state to replace Columbus Day with “Native American Day ” officially.”  In 1992, Berkeley, California, became the first US city to adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day.  The municipality launched educational programs to honor Native American history and culture.  Berkeley’s actions sparked a national movement, with more than 100 cities and 17 states adopting Indigenous Peoples’ Day, either replacing or observing it alongside Columbus Day.  In Vermont, between 2016 and 2018, both Governors Peter Shumlin and Phil Scott issued annual proclamations recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day.  In 2019, the Vermont legislature passed H.3, and Governor Phil Scott signed it into law on May 6, 2019, making Indigenous Peoples’ Day a permanent state holiday, replacing Columbus Day on the second Monday of October. 

Today, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not only about replacing one holiday with another; rather, it is about re-examining American history with a more accurate narrative, one that is inclusive of multiple perspectives.  For many, it is a time for reflection on the painful history of colonization and the trauma and violence inflicted on Native people.   At the same time, the day provides an opportunity for learning about diverse cultures, histories, and contributions, an extraordinary educational goal.  Here are some ideas for using this day as an essential learning experience:

• Celebration: participate in or create “powwows,” festivals, and/or cultural events that honor Native American history, culture, and traditions
• Possible student assignments:
  •  Identify the land you are on and contact the local tribe (Missisquoi) 
  • Research local history (the Missisquoi have a readily accessible website, Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi
  • Read books by Indigenous authors such as Joseph Bruchac.  ( We are being given $500 worth of books on the Abenaki experience by the Indian Education Consortium of Franklin and Grand Isle counties)
  • Explore the website of the National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian) to learn more about facts vs. truth regarding Columbus Unlearning Columbus Day

Most schools in Vermont are closed on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, as they were on Columbus Day prior to the passage of H.3.  Yet, schools in our region are open.  Why?  A few years ago, an Alburgh eighth-grade student met with the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs.  She is the granddaughter of the current Missisquoi Chief, Brenda Gagne.  She told Commissioners that few classmates had any idea why schools were closed to celebrate a holiday they were unfamiliar with.  Many were aware of Columbus Day and both the myths and the controversy surrounding that historical figure.  They knew, too, that Columbus Day was being discontinued in Vermont, yet they were relatively uniformed about the history, culture, or context surrounding Native Americans.  This student, Sage Gould, suggested that schools stay open so students could learn about the importance of the Native American perspective.

Commission members enthusiastically concurred with Sage that more emphasis was needed on teaching Native studies, with a focus on the Vermont Abenaki history and culture, as the Abenaki were considered the original inhabitants of Vermont.  While there are four state-recognized Abenaki tribes in Vermont, Missisquoi is the largest and best known.  Its territories encompass Franklin County and there has long been an educational arm of the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi.  Representatives met with local school officials and the decision was made to keep schools open so that we could learn more about the Abenaki.

If we, as students of BFA, want to learn more about the Native American culture, it makes sense to begin with Missisquoi.  Toward that end, we may wish to meet tribal leaders and engage with them.  Furthermore, the month of November is considered “Native American Appreciation Month,” so we may want to explore how to further our studies so they encompass that period as well.  

Let us begin our exploration right here, right now.  Perhaps we can start our conversation about Indigenous Peoples’ Day with this question: “Do you think Native peoples were better off before European contact or after?”  We can do research to support our answers.  This exercise may be the key to our deeper understanding of the Native American experience and the celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2025. 

Written by Jeff Benay.

About the author-

Jeff Benay has been a member of the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs for over 30 years. He has a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis and has been involved for decades in Abenaki public policy and education, fighting for federal recognition and other protections for the Abenaki people to be passed in the government. In a section of the Abenaki Nation website Benay wrote about Abenaki State recognition, he states that, “policy-making is for the common good, not the misguided ranting of a few individuals who represent themselves and a handful of other bitter people who have little regard for the next seven generations.” He thoroughly believes in ensuring the well-being of future generations for all people by furthering protections and education around the Abenaki people. A sentiment he, and many others share is that, “As such, I am thoroughly ashamed of how we have treated our original inhabitants.” Because of this, he uses his position to better the community, making real change that can be felt across generations. Learning about Indigenous Peoples’ Day is just one of the many ways to help further the goal of acceptance and inclusion. This article was written on request of the Student Voice Committee of BFA as the first steps to help the school understand why we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

-Angel Chomyn

All quoted from Jeff Benay’s writing from 2012 currently on the Abenaki Nation website.