Why I Believe Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day Matters More Than Celebrating Columbus Day

Each year when October arrives, I find myself reflecting on how we choose to remember history and whose stories we prefer to honor. For generations, our country celebrated Columbus Day as a symbol of discovery and exploration. But the more I have learned, the more I have come to believe that Indigenous Peoples’ Day offers a fuller, more accurate, and more compassionate way to commemorate this part of our shared past.

Technically, Columbus did not “discover” the Americas. When his ships arrived, the continents were already home to millions of people, vibrant nations and civilizations with languages, traditions, and systems of knowledge that had flourished for thousands of years. The Americas were not an empty world waiting to be discovered; they were alive with vibrant communities and rich cultures.

Last year, I wrote about my own family’s heritage and how my ancestors came from Europe in search of opportunity, becoming immigrants to a land that was already rich with life. Like many families, ours carried stories of courage and hope. However, we also inherited a version of history that often unjustly overlooked the people who were already here, the Indigenous peoples.

Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not about erasing anyone’s heritage or denying history. It is about expanding it, making room for all the truths that coexist within it. It allows us to celebrate the remarkable resilience, survival, and invaluable contributions of Indigenous nations that continue to shape our world today.

This shift in perspective invites profound humility and deep gratitude. It reminds us that the story of America did not begin with a single European voyage, but with countless generations who lived, loved, and cared for this land long before any map gave it a new name. It challenges us to listen to voices that history tried to silence and to honor the wisdom that still speaks through them.

When we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we choose honesty over myth, empathy over pride, and inclusion over omission. We decide to tell a fuller story, one that respects the past while building a future grounded in understanding.

That is what real discovery looks like.

A Personal Reflection

Spending time in the Sierras has deepened my appreciation for the connection Indigenous peoples have always had with the natural world. When I walk among the tall pines, listen to the sound of wind moving through the branches, or see a deer pause in the distance, I feel a quiet reverence, a sense that I am standing in a place that has been loved and respected for thousands of years. The beauty I try to capture in my photographs is the same beauty Indigenous peoples have protected and lived in harmony with for generations.

Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day feels like a small but meaningful way to acknowledge, ‘I see that.’ I honor that. It reminds me to live with gratitude, to tread gently on the earth, and to listen more closely to the lessons that nature and history are still trying to teach us. 

A Closing Thought

As we honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I hope this becomes more than just a date on the calendar. It becomes a moment to reflect on the stories that came before us and the wisdom that still lives among us. If this topic resonates with you, please share your thoughts or reflections in the comments section below. Let us continue learning together, listening with respect, and finding ways to honor the beauty and resilience of the people who first called this land home.