Every second Monday in October, many people in the United States pause to observe a holiday long known as Columbus Day, commemorating Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492. Over time, however, there has been a growing recognition of a different way to observe the day: Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This shift emphasizes honoring Native history, culture, resilience, and perspectives. While the two holidays often fall on the same date, they represent very different narratives, and together they offer an opportunity for reflection, education, and celebration.
In this post, we explore the origins and meaning of both, and then dive into food, travel destinations, and events you can participate in, so this holiday can be more than just a day off; it can be enriching, meaningful, and fun.
Origins, History, and Contemporary Meaning
The Story Behind Columbus Day
Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937. Originally, it was meant not only to commemorate the explorer’s voyage, but also to celebrate Italian-American heritage and the idea of exploration and “new world” discovery. Over decades, parades, public speeches, and cultural festivities have marked the holiday, particularly in places with large Italian-American communities.
The Rise of Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Indigenous Peoples’ Day started as a counternarrative. In 1977 at a United Nations-sponsored conference, the idea was proposed of replacing or reframing Columbus Day to recognize Indigenous histories and cultures.
Today, many U.S. states, cities, and educational institutions observe the day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in lieu of, or parallel to, Columbus Day. The emphasis is on acknowledging the lived experiences of Native nations, their traditional cultures, the devastation wrought by colonization, and ongoing efforts toward sovereignty and justice.
Why It Matters
- Historical accuracy: Recognizing that the Americas were never uninhabited prior to European arrival.
- Cultural respect and resilience: Honoring Indigenous traditions, languages, and knowledge systems.
- Reconciliation: Acknowledging past harms and working toward a more equitable future.
- Inclusive heritage: Letting multiple stories, Italian-American, Native American, and others, coexist and be heard.
Food Traditions: Tastes & Symbolism
Food is a powerful way to connect with culture, history, and identity. On Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day, food can bridge stories and offer sensory remembrance.
Native / Indigenous Foods to Include
Many Indigenous foods are based on locally gathered, sustainable ingredients: foraged plants, wild game, corn, beans, squash, wild rice, nuts, seeds, berries.
Some traditional dishes and ingredients you might try:
- The Three Sisters: corn, beans, and squash cooked together. These staples are central in many Indigenous agricultural systems.
- Frybread / Indian tacos: Frybread has a complex history, it originated under forced conditions but became a resilient symbol of Indigenous adaptation.
- Blue corn mush, hominy stews, wojapi sauce (berry-based sauces) for sweet or savory dishes.
- Wild rice / manoomin, wild fruits/berries, nuts, greens, game meats or fish where appropriate.
- Kanuchi (hickory-nut soup) from Cherokee tradition. Adds flavor, history, and seasonal warmth.
Italian-American & Other Foods Common on Columbus Day
Because Columbus Day has roots in celebrating Italian-American heritage, many families or communities mark the day with Italian fare:
- Pastas (lasagna, spaghetti, ravioli), risotto
- Antipasti platters: olives, cheeses, cured meats
- Desserts: cannoli, gelato, tiramisu, biscotti
- Regional dishes depending on family origins,Sicilian, Neapolitan, etc.
Ideas to Fuse Tradition & Meaning
To honor both perspectives, you might host a meal that includes both Indigenous foods and Italian-American dishes, pairing them in ways that promote storytelling. For instance: serve a traditional corn and bean dish alongside pasta, or frybread as a side option. Encourage sharing where each dish is introduced with its history.
Events & Celebrations
Here are types of events, plus specific examples, that often happen around this holiday, useful if you want to attend or organize something.
Types of Events
- Powwows, native dance ceremonies, storytelling, and music events that center Indigenous voices and perform traditional arts.
- Parades and cultural festivals especially in Italian-American communities.
- Museum exhibits, lectures, workshops to explore Indigenous history, Columbus’s voyages, and critical perspectives.
- Food festivals: highlighting Indigenous cuisines, Italian food, or fusion.
- Advocacy events / panels: land rights, treaty history, present-day issues.
Examples & Trends
- Many states/cities which have changed their observance now host Indigenous Peoples’ Day events in place of or in addition to Columbus Day parades.
- Schools and universities often schedule educational programming, such as guest speakers from Native nations, workshops on Native languages or arts.
Travel & Vacation Ideas for the Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day Weekend
Long weekends offer a chance to travel, explore, and connect with places rich in Indigenous history or cultural heritage.
U.S. Destinations
- Santa Fe: rich Native art, pueblos, food, markets.
- Taos Pueblo, Hopi, Navajo regions: to learn about Indigenous dwellings, crafts, and foods.
- Seattle, Portland, and region tribes: for salmon festivals, canoe journeys, traditional arts.
- Wisconsin, Michigan: areas with Ojibwe / Anishinaabe heritage, wild rice harvesting, lake environments.
- Visit Pine Ridge or reservations, the Badlands, Lakota culture.
- New York City: Columbus Day Parade, plus many museums and exhibits.
- Boston / Massachusetts: Italian heritage events and also historical colonial/Native history.
International / Offbeat Ideas
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Travel to places that recognize similar holidays: many Latin American countries have Día de la Raza / Día del Encuentro de los Pueblos around the same time. Exploring how these are celebrated provides comparative perspectives.
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Indigenous cultural tours: in Canada, Australia, or other regions where Indigenous tourism is part of heritage conservation.
Practical Tips for Holiday Travel
- Book in advance: since it’s a long weekend, popular destinations fill up fast.
- Seek out Indigenous-run tours / cultural centers to support local economies and gain better authenticity.
- Check local event calendars: many events are free or low cost if you plan ahead.
Observance & Legal Status
- Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the U.S., but many states have begun renaming or replacing it with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
- Not all states observe it the same way. Some jointly recognize both. Others have removed Columbus Day entirely for governmental observance.
- The holiday date: always the second Monday in October.
How to Honor the Day Meaningfully
Here are ideas for individuals, families, communities, or organizations to observe the day with respect and purpose.
- Learn the history beyond textbooks: Read Indigenous accounts, local tribal histories, and recent scholarship that includes both the harms and contributions.
- Support Indigenous artists, authors, and businesses: Buy books, crafts, or food from Indigenous entrepreneurs.
- Cook or share food with intention: Try recipes of Indigenous origin; invite others to share dishes and stories.
- Visit museums and cultural centers: Attend exhibits on Indigenous history or Italian heritage depending on your location.
- Amplify Indigenous voices: On social media, through community groups, or in schools, give space to Native elders, historians, artists.
- Advocate for recognition: If your city/state hasn’t adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day, or if the school curriculum lacks Indigenous perspectives, take action.
Conclusion
Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day share a single date but embody two very different perspectives of history. One focuses on exploration and heritage; the other, on resilience, Indigenous lives, culture, and remembering what was lost and what survives. By blending food, travel, events, and education into how we observe the holiday, we can make it more than symbolic, it becomes a day of connection, learning, and respect.
Whether you celebrate with food that tells a story, travel to lands shaped by Indigenous history, attend an event that lifts up Native voices, or simply take time to reflect, this is a holiday with many layers. And in layering those layers, we remember a fuller, more inclusive history, one that honors all people.