Many U.S. states, including Minnesota (via proclamation), focus on Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday of October in place of what was historically Columbus Day. I sat down with Charles Black Lance, an educator and community leader in Brainerd, Minn., for some insights on this holiday.  

Why the change?  

• Not necessarily anti-Columbus, but we need to enhance the whole conversation by honoring and respecting histories and traditions of Indigenous people that were here long before Columbus and are still here today. 
• When traditionally celebrating Columbus Day, we don’t always include the deeper realities of what his coming to North American meant for Indigenous people. 
• When we clean up histories for children, we lose context that help us understand why and how. 

What should stop? 

• Stereotypical representations or caricatures of Indigenous people.  
• Placing Native people only in the past. 
• Honoring nostalgia for some, over harmful experiences for others. 

What should I do? 

• Look harder, adjust your lens. 
• Educate yourself with books, documentaries, and podcasts.  
• Critically consume information. 
• Do something with your learning. Speak up, take action, and positively influence those around you. 
• Ask! Conduct internet searches, consult media specialists or curriculum directors.  
• Listen and learn from people that are experiencing “it” for example, your local American Indian Advisory committee.  

Resources  

• Native American Indigenous Games 2023 naig.com 
• An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People (ReVisioning History for Young People) by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz  
• Minnesota Department of Education Resources 
•  American Indian Library Association  

Ed Soul Podcast Credit | Sourcewell

Find more educational resources by topic at https://www.mn.sourcewell.org/education/podcast

Learn more about upcoming trainings and events for educators at www.mn.sourcewell.org/education