On October 12th, 2020, for the third time in the organization’s history, Health & Medicine Policy Research Group will be observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

The Indigenous Peoples of America continue to show strength and resilience in the face of adversity and injustice. They are made up of many different tribes with rich cultures and histories who have experienced thefts of their lands, languages, property, and lives since the arrival of settlers from Europe. This struggle for justice continues today, and Native People are often at the forefront of movements against inequities and for their own survival and well-being. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Native People and lend our voice in support of all those seeking freedom, sovereignty, and justice.

The definition of health equity that guides our work at Health & Medicine requires that those working to advance equity value all individuals and populations equally and work to recognize and rectify historical injustices. Our decision to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors that work by challenging the sanitized histories that are often taught about the United States and its founding, a history that contributes to health inequities to this day.

In short, we believe that historical context matters to health equity and that celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a step towards recognizing the full scope of American history and the unfinished work of advancing justice.

As public health and health care policy leaders, Health & Medicine invites our partners, other organizations, and our broader government to likewise celebrate and honor Indigenous People’s Day.

Here are some ways you can honor and support Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Learn:

• Five Ideas for Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2020
• Native American activists call on City Council to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day
• Chicago Schools to Observe Indigenous People’s Day Instead of Columbus Day
• Without Native Americans, Would We Have Chicago As We Know It?
• Native American routes: the ancient trails hidden in Chicago’s grid system
• AMERICAN INDIAN REMOVAL: What Does It Mean to Remove a People?
• ‘We Know How to Keep the Balance of Nature’. Why Including Indigenous People Is Vital to Solving Climate Change

Participate:

• Virtual Forum: Decolonizing the Classroom: What Indigenous and African Ancestral & Activist lenses offer to modern education
• Virtual Workshop: Supporting Native Students: Building Relationships with Native Nations
• Virtual Yoga / Q&A: Decolonize Your Wellness: Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day!
• Indigenous Peoples Day of Rage Against Colonialism
• Virtual programming offered for Indigenous People’s Day
• 6 Native American and Indigenous Charities to Donate to for Indigenous Peoples’ Day & Thanksgiving
• Virtual Lecture: Building solidarity with Native peoples and aiding the development of Indigenous earthworks and placemaking within urbanized areas
• Virtual Concert: IPD Concert CHI 2020