Observing, Recognizing, and Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day

Today, we recognize Indigenous Peoples Day and celebrate the individuals, communities, and nations who have made their homes, cultures, and lives upon these lands for millennia and have stewarded wild fish since time immemorial. It’s a day to honor the past, present, and future of indigenous people, acknowledge the destructive impact of colonialism on individuals, cultures, communities, lands and waters, and (re)commit ourselves to addressing the ongoing and destructive legacy of genocide and colonialism in our nation and the Pacific Northwest.

Like wild fish, indigenous people, communities, and nations are resilient. Despite centuries of genocide and cultural eradication efforts, today, more than 5.7 million American residents identify as Native American, a 39% increase since 2000, and more than 600 sovereign Native nations exist in the U.S. The knowledge of place and cultural wisdom that indigenous peoples, communities, and Tribal Nations hold is foundational to reviving abundant wild fish.

And the truth is, as we discussed this post, we acknowledged that Native Fish Society hasn’t done enough to elevate indigenous and tribal voices and perspectives. So in the coming months (and years!) we’ll be sharing more regularly about the indigenous people and Tribal Nations working to revive abundant wild fish around the Pacific Northwest.

Here are a few ways you can observe, celebrate, and participate in Indigenous Peoples Day today and throughout the year:

• Attend a virtual event today. Search for events in your browser and check out:
  • Youth in Action: Conversations About Our Future hosted by the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian, 1pm ET/10am PT
  • Indigenous People’s Marketplace Facebook Live events. Vendors, speakers and music, 10am-12pm PT; Great Spirit Celebration, 2-4pm PT; Community Collaboration with author Rebecca Nagle and storyteller Gene Tagaban, 7-9pm PT
  • Southwestern Oregon Community College hosts local native speakers:
    • Chief Ivy of the Coquille Indian Tribe @ 10am PT
    • Jesse Beers of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw 12pm PT
  • Healing and Reconciliation: Celebration of Culture, a panel discussion with Se-ah-dom Edmo, Jillene Joseph, and Laura John. Hosted by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, NAYA, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. 5:30pm PT
• Donate to the COVID-19 emergency response fund for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
• Educate yourself and others about the indigenous people and communities present historically and today in your area and follow Tribal Nations and indigenous individuals on social media.
• Explore resources created by indigenous-led organizations on how to be an ally and advocate. Check out IllumiNative for resources and toolkits.

For more information on Native Fish Society's equity journey and ongoing work, please visit our Equity Practice page.