A long awaited holiday commemorates indigenous peoples

Illustrated by Sierra Orozco

Indigenous art representing day of celebration.

Sierra Orozco, Reporter

Indigenous Peoples’ Day commemorates is a small step in the right direction to value indigenous people. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a day to acknowledge and cherish Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Hawaii Natives.

 It’s important because many don’t feel appreciated. Native peoples have many accomplishments and many hardships to be recognized.

Native Americans have been through it all from genocide to warfare. Native people have had their land taken away and maare still asking and fighting for their land to keep it sacred, but little justice has been served. 

The natives who first discovered American land were more than kind to Christopher Columbus and other colonizers when they came to America. They took advantage of the kindness. Native peoples were enslaved treated them with extreme violence and mistreatment.

Christopher Columbus forcefully took the land of Native Americans and colonized these people. 

He and his people brought various diseases that led to many indigenous peoples to lose their lives. He set the foundation of suffering of many Native Americans across the land.

 Many places in the U.S. are taking down statues of Columbus and replacing Columbus Day with the new holiday. Many are starting to rethink what they believe Columbus Day brings to the table. He did not discover America as many believe.

Getting the equality these natives deserve is the right thing to do to make a difference. This holiday brings to light the many hardships Indigenous peoples have endured and it is vital to commemorate and celebrate.