Learn why – and how – to honor Indigenous cultures this year!
Native American Day, Indigenous People's Day, Native American Heritage Month – I love that we have so many, but it can be confusing to know which is which!
In the United States, we have more than a few holidays and days of recognition – enough to make knowing how each is unique and different pretty challenging! Native American Day is one that can get lost in the mix!
We all recognize the need for a day celebrating the indigenous people North America, yet few know the main difference between Native American Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day – and even fewer know when (and how best) to celebrate.
Let's get into the details and learn more about Native American Day and how best to celebrate!
What is Native American Day?
The indigenous peoples of North America have a long and complex history. There are hundreds of distinct tribes, each with its own unique traditions, languages, and customs.
The cultural and historical significance of Native American communities is part of the DNA of the US, making it even more important to celebrate those with ancestry and ties to these communities.
Native American Day was established to raise awareness of the contributions and struggles of Native American peoples and honor their rich culture and heritage. It’s recognized as a holiday in several states, including California, Nevada, and South Dakota.
When is Native American Day Celebrated?
Many are unsure of how to best celebrate Native American Day because the holiday falls on different days depending on the state. On the positive side, there’s more than one time to celebrate!
- California and Nevada: Fourth Friday of September
- South Dakota and Wisconsin: Second Monday of October
- Washington: Friday following the fourth Thursday in November
- Tennessee (known as “American Indian Day”): Fourth Monday of September
The Origins and Evolution of Native American Day
The history of Native American Day dates actually goes back further than you might think. Here are some of the key years that led to the founding of Native American Day.
California Leads The Way In Establishing Native American Day
- 1939: Governor Culbert Olson declared October 1 as “Indian Day”
- 1968: Governor Ronald Reagan signed a resolution for “American Indian Day” on the fourth Friday in September
- 1998: The California Assembly made Native American Day an official state holiday
- 2021: California designated it as a judicial holiday, effective January 1, 2022
South Dakota's Year of Reconciliation
South Dakota took a significant step in recognizing Native American Day:
- 1989: The state legislature unanimously passed legislation to proclaim 1990 as the “Year of Reconciliation” between Native Americans and whites
- 1990: South Dakota officially replaced Columbus Day with Native American Day, celebrating it on the second Monday in October
Federal Recognition Efforts
While Native American Day isn't a federal holiday, there have been several national efforts to recognize Indigenous peoples:
- 2009: President Barack Obama signed “The Native American Heritage Day Resolution,” designating the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day
- 2021: President Joe Biden issued the first presidential proclamation of Indigenous Peoples' Day, observed on the second Monday in October
Why Was Native American Day Created?
As a people, the Native American community has long faced genocide, displacement, and countless broken treaties. Despite their contributions to the development of the United States, they have often been marginalized and oppressed.
While no mere holiday declaration can erase the injustices of the past, Native American Heritage Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day serve as opportunities to honor and celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, and histories of Indigenous peoples. These national efforts also aim to raise awareness about ongoing issues facing Native communities, such as land rights, sovereignty, and cultural preservation.
Which States Officially Recognize Native American Day?
While many states have some form of recognition for Native American heritage, those that officially recognize Native American Day include:
- California
- Nevada
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Minnesota (Indigenous Peoples Day)
- Wisconsin (American Indian Day)
As more and more states begin to acknowledge and celebrate Native American Day, the pressure is increasing to move the holiday from a states-only recognition to a national holiday.
How is Native American Day Different from Indigenous Peoples' Day?
If you look up the date for Native American Day, you may find that it falls on the same day as Indigenous Peoples' Day. While these two holidays are often celebrated together and have similar goals of honoring Native cultures and history, there are some key differences between them.
| Native American Day | Indigenous Peoples' Day |
| State-level holiday | Increasingly recognized nationally |
| Dates vary by state | Typically second Monday in October |
| Focuses on state-specific Native cultures | Broader recognition of all Indigenous peoples |
| Longstanding tradition in some states | More recent movement to replace Columbus Day |
How Does Native American Heritage Month Differ from Native American Day?
It’s easy to confuse Native American Day with the larger Native American Heritage Month.
Celebrated in November, Native American Heritage Month is a federally recognized month-long observation of Native American history, culture, and contributions. It was officially established in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush.
Here are some of the ways that Native American Heritage Month differs from Native American Day:
- Native American Heritage Month spans the entire month of November, offering a larger, more extended period for celebration and education compared to the one-day events of NAD.
- Heritage Month features more country-wide events, activities, and educational programs, while Native American Day may have more localized celebrations and events.
- While both observances honor Native American culture and history, Heritage Month provides a broader platform for in-depth exploration of various aspects of Native American life, past and present.
How Do You Celebrate Native American Day?
Beyond taking time to celebrate the culture of Indigenous communities, Native American Day offers plenty of unique ways to get involved and enjoy the cultural impact that many of our fellow citizens bring to our country.
You can celebrate the day the same as you would celebrate Native American Heritage Month. You can see our full guide on how to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.
Here are a few ways you can celebrate Native American Day:
Visit a Pow Wow
Support Native culture by watching the dancing and singing, shopping with the vendors, and trying the food.
Learn more at cultural workshops and educational events
Many communities in the US take advantage of the holiday to host educational forums and events that enhance the greater understanding of Native American culture. Workshops on traditional practices, language lessons, and more are great ways to spend the day.
Take in a festival, parade, or community service event
Many of the states and cities that recognize Native American Day will host parades and celebrations showcasing the local indigenous community’s cultures and traditions. Many also include community service opportunities that empower Native American communities and help uplift those impacted by years of policy failures.
Is Native American Day a Federal Holiday?
Native American Day is not a federal holiday. It is recognized at the state level in various forms. However, the federal government does recognize Native American Heritage Month in November. This means that while some state offices may be closed on Native American Day, federal offices and many businesses remain open.
Will Native American Day Replace Columbus Day?
Some states have replaced Columbus Day with Native American Day to honor and recognize Native Americans. But it’s not a national change and many states still celebrate Columbus Day as a holiday.
So, what can you do to help raise awareness for Native American Day? Learn more about the history of Native Americans and their cultures. Educate yourself and others on the struggles and triumphs of indigenous peoples.
And with that knowledge, support organizations that work to preserve and promote Native American heritage. So join us in our efforts to celebrate and uplift communities nationwide – and celebrate Native American Day!
Janet Keyser
says:Dear Paul,
Although I have no Native blood, I have always loved learning about and supporting issues that concern Native American people. I have studied various aspects of the cultures, the history, etc., at university,and taught High School English classes while I lived in Taos, New Mexico. The local people invited me to ceremonies and taught me even more.
I’m writing to you because I opened your latest post to see a huge number of political bits and pieces that were against Harris and Walz. This is distressing. I’ve protested T…p’s disdain and disrespect for tribal lands, pushing drilling and wanting to ignore ancient treaties and promises. I don’t understand how you could appear to be advising Native people to NOT vote for Kamala. I thought that I understood that Native culture valued women more than other cultures do; it’s obvious to me that T…p will NOT keep his word on ANY promises that he makes and that his and the MAGA goals are to dismantle the government and destroy our (imperfect, struggling, but important) democracy. I understand that you must be able to finance your wonderful pages, but I am very distressed with your choice of ads. I hope that you’ll reconsider; I’m sure your ads have importance to many people. My husband and I struggle with our senior citizen budget and would help if we could; I can’t bear to see this misinformation along with my beloved pages of POWWOWS.COM
Paul G
says:Those are ads. Both campaigns spend money to advertise on sites like this one during this time of year.