Honor, Celebrate, and Give Back During Indigenous Peoples Day

By Marketing Coordinator Kaylee LaTocha

Indigenous Peoples Day is the second Monday in October and celebrates traditions, culture, family, community and so much more.

Every day is a great day to be Indigenous. The second Monday in October provides an opportunity to pause and celebrate traditions, culture, family, community, and so much more in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day. A day to recognize the momentous efforts to revitalize language, story, dance, and pass on and share the amazing history of Alaska Native and American Indian people. One way to honor Indigenous Peoples Day is to share how we can all strive to preserve and be good stewards of the land.

Indigenous Peoples Day is an opportunity to honor the relationship with the land and with each other. Many Indigenous values are centered around community and what it means to share and pay it forward. These time-honored values of respect continue to be passed down to newer generations. Ways people celebrate can be with food, potlucks, music and performances, gatherings, ceremonies, and more.

Here are ways to honor the day:

• Cook a traditional dish.

• Play Alaska Native games.

• Participate in community events.

• Learn about subsistence living.

• Connect with nature.

• Host a potluck.

• Share a traditional story.

• Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center, museums or cultural centers in your area.

• Read about the history of Alaska Native people.

These activities can be done at any time of the year but highlighting them on this day can rally a community and lift the spirits of those involved. Learn what came before, to build a better tomorrow.

For more information visit cultural classes and learning circles on southcentralfoundation.com.