Indigenous Peoples Day was first proposed at a 1977 United Nations conference by Indigenous People as a replacement for and reframing of the inaccurate portrayal that was being celebrated as Columbus Day. The purpose of Indigenous People’s Day is to to honor Indigenous Peoples past, present and future. It also highlights the impact and legacy colonization had on Native communities. On this day we celebrate the cultures, contributions and resilience of Indigenous Peoples. It is a day to challenge the widespread invisibility of Indigenous history by making space for them and for their perspective to be centered and celebrated. This day is observed on the second Monday in October.

Some ways you can celebrate/observe Indigenous Peoples Day:

• Acknowledge the Indigenous lands you are on
• Attend a celebration or educational opportunity
• Support Indigenous people’s rights organizations
• Plant Native plants
• Check out Indigenous literature and entertainment
• Attend an event hosted by a Native American organization

• Educate yourself and your family: Learn more by visiting Native Knowledge 360

Edith Gomez Navarrete Regional Equity Manager: Churchill

On this October 11, National Coming Out Day will continue to raise awareness for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community, and champion the idea that homophobia thrives in silence. On this day, many people who identify as LGBTQ+ will “come out” (a term stemming from the phrase “come out of the closet”) to friends or family about their sexuality, which is a very big moment! Beyond this, the history of the LGBTQ+ movement is a beacon of light — its champions are honored, and it underlines the personal being political. It’s also a chance to celebrate the liberation spirit — many do this by waving flags associated with LGBTQ+ groups or donning pins. National Coming Out Day is celebrated on October 11 each year. The first observation was in 1988 and by 1990 it was being celebrated internationally.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY

National Coming Out Day was inspired by a single march. 500,000 people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights on October 11, 1987, generating momentum to last for 4 months after the march had ended. During this period, over a hundred LGBTQ+ identifying individuals gathered outside Washington, DC, and decided on creating a national day to celebrate coming out – this began on the 1st anniversary of their historic march. It was Rob Eichberg and Jean O’Leary who first proposed the idea of NCOD. Eichberg founded a person growth workshop, The Experience, and at the time, O’Leary was the head of National Gay Rights Advocates. Eichberg, who would later die in 1995 of complications from AIDS, had said the strongest tool in the human rights movement was to illustrate that most people already know and respect someone in the LGBTQ+ community, and NCOD helps these people come to light.

Over the last 15 years, the Human Rights Campaign has chosen a theme for every National Coming Out Day — 2014 and 2013 were both themed “Coming Out Still Matters,” and the earliest theme (1999) was “Come Out To Congress.” There have also been different spokespeople for each NCOD. Some notable names include “Frasier” actor Dan Butler and Candance Gingrich, half-sister of Newt Gingrich, in the 1990s. NCOD gains popularity and participants every year. Since its inception, countless public figures and celebrities have openly identified themselves as LGBTQ+, and yearly share messages of support and hope for those still in the closet. Notable celebrities who tweeted in support of NCOD in 2019 include Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon and actress and advocate Sara Ramirez. The event plans to continue its efforts to eradicate hate and homophobia with friends and family coming out to dispel stereotypes.