"It's a beautiful day,
you know why it's a beautiful day?
Because it's a beautiful day to be Indigenous."
For one week in October, communities of North, South, Central American, Caribbean and Polynesian Indigenous cultures converge in New York City to celebrate and honor the sacrifices, continual stewardship, and preservation of knowledge by Indigenous people globally. Thousands of Indigenous peoples and allies celebrated the ninth annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration at Randall's Island, on the first weekend of October. First Peoples from the Caribbean, Polynesian Islands, and the Americas united to share their traditions, through song, dance, art, and prayer. A week later, on October 14, 2023, hundreds of Indigenous peoples reclaimed space and marched down Broadway for nine blocks singing, dancing, and chanting in the second annual Indigenous Peoples of the Americas parade.
Though New York City is home to the highest urban population of Indigenous peoples, New York City does not recognize Indigenous Peoples day. Instead, the city of New York celebrates Columbus day, endorsing a mockery of colonialism and genocide. Columbus day, and the celebration of his legacy perpetuates a narrative that erases the rich history and contributions of Indigenous cultures. In the largest city in the country, the largest population of Indigenous peoples exist without acknowledgement and respect from the culture that supersedes them. The failure to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day is a continuation of the genocide and erasure of Indigenous Peoples. Celebration of the Columbus Day holiday is rooted in inaccuracy and celebrates a tragic history of violence against the Indigenous Peoples of this country and all of the Americas.
Indigenous communities have been caretakers of the environment for thousands of years, protecting the lands, respecting wildlife, and utilizing traditional knowledge passed down through generations. The goal of my project is to increase the visibility of Indigenous cultures in an urban setting in order to cultivate awareness, understanding, and respect. Stories that center Indigenous experiences often focus on the trauma and suffering of the community in the wake of colonialism and expansion, but there is exceptional beauty in the endurance of our collective spirit. It’s important we acknowledge Indigenous resilience and strength.
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