How to Educate Yourself to Honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Image via 4Kinship

Today (October 14th) is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. While this is an American holiday that serves to commemorate the atrocities inflicted on Native peoples across the United States, Indigenous peoples all over the world remain under threat of, and continue to mobilize against, colonial powers. Check out this resource list to educate yourself on the movements taking place both locally and globally and discover how you can support them.

To Learn: 

U.S & North America

• NDN collective uploads modules periodically on the site to discuss relevant topics on Indigenous politics, sustainability, social justice, and culture and identity, both domestically and globally. You can read their position papers to understand the official stances of the movement. 

• Intersectional Environmentalist, an environmentalism non-profit centering diverse voices and perspectives, created a free Toolkit for Indigenous Environmentalism available through their website. 

• Follow Indigenous Action, an anti-colonial media and activism hub, for up-to-date information on resistance movements and how you can participate in mutual aid efforts. 

• The Red Nation Podcast covers U.S. and global political affairs, hosting guests who offer an Indigenous perspective on topics ranging from climate to imperialism.
  

Global:

• The International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) maintains a database of up-to-date information and historical context on threats to Indigenous groups in several countries, including a detailed account of the Israeli occupation of Palestine as an Indigenous rights issue. 

• The National Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC) represents the collective voice of Indigenous peoples in their pursuit of self-governance, land rights, and cultural preservation. ONIC fights for the recognition of Indigenous laws and the protection of their ancestral territories within Colombia. 

• The Indigenous Information Network (IIN) is a Kenya-based NGO focused on advocacy and resource mobilization for critical issues affecting Indigenous groups across the regions of Africa, as well as fostering an international network of Indigenous knowledge.

To Honor and Support: 

Honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day by supporting Indigenous leaders, water protectors, and land defenders. Here are some places where you can donate, volunteer, or stand in solidarity: 

Support the Southwest Pueblo Peoples’ #WaterBack Campaign

Sign this petition to protect the Indigenous Peoples of Ecuador 

Donate to education and action-based groups like The Indigenous Anarchist

Stay educated on the stories of Missing Murdered Indigenous Women and support organizations like the Native Women’s Wilderness. 

Donate to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in their ongoing efforts to protect their people from the impacts of the Dakota Access Pipeline and secure their future. 

In the climate movement, it is important that non-Indigenous activists are always uplifting the efforts of the original stewards of the land. This intersectional work is essential to making progress towards a more sustainable future. We hope that this list helps you identify ways to support and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and we look forward to sharing more resources as we approach American Indian Heritage Month in November!

If you have any Indigenous-led organizations or resources you’d like to highlight, comment below!