FOR OUR FUTURE AN ADVOCATE’S GUIDE TO SUPPORTING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...............................................................................................................................1 WHY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY..................................................................................................................................................3 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY ACROSS THE AMERICAS ..................................................................................................................7 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY ACROSS AMERICA: CASE STUDIES AND LESSONS LEARNED .........................................................9 THE CITY OF SEATTLE’S SHIFT TOWARD INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY ........................................................................................11 HOW A MONTANA CITY AND UNIVERSITY CAME TO CELEBRATE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY ....................................................13 TRIBAL YOUTH COUNCIL BRINGS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY TO THE STATE OF OREGON .........................................................15 HOW A NEW MEXICO REPRESENTATIVE PASSED AN INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY BILL IN HIS STATE ........................................17 KEY QUESTION AND ANSWERS FOR ALLIES AND ADVOCATES .....................................................................................................19 KEY MESSAGES TO ADVOCATE FOR ADOPTION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY .........................................................................22 HOW TO RESPOND TO OPPOSITION AGAINST INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY ..................................................................................23 HOW TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY .........................................................................................................25 ADVOCATING TO YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES ..................................................................................................................25 ENGAGING YOUR COMMUNITY ......................................................................................................................................................30 BUILDING A COALITION IN YOUR COMMUNITY .............................................................................................................................34 GENERATING AWARENESS .............................................................................................................................................................35 APPENDIX ......................................................................................................................................................................................41 INTRODUCTION IllumiNative is a national, Native-led nonprofit attitudes and behaviors of Americans from all walks of committed to amplifying contemporary Native voices, life towards Native peoples. stories and issues to advance justice, equity and social impact. IllumiNative harnesses the power of research It’s important that we acknowledge that Americans have and data to launch strategic initiatives focused on been fed a false history. The story told of Native peoples changing the way that Americans and institutions in history books erases the trauma and persecution think about and engage with Native communities. If carried out upon Native communities and ignores we can change the story, we can change the future for the truth of our resiliency and strength. Celebrating Native peoples. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an important part of our movement— it is an opportunity to recognize and Our goal is to build a movement of many movements celebrate Native peoples, our resiliency and our future, that utilizes sectors across society that drive narrative in the present. change— like policy institutions, pop culture, media, and education systems— to fight against the invisibility, There are over 600 Native Nations in the United bias and racism that impacts our communities. States. Currently, 573 sovereign tribal nations in 36 states (variously called tribes, nations, bands, pueblos, Research has shown that the lack of representation of communities, and Native villages) have a formal nation- Native peoples in mainstream society creates a void to-nation relationship with the US government and are that limits the understanding and knowledge that defined as “federally recognized tribes.” An additional Americans have of Native communities. Pop culture, 63 tribes are recognized by 11 states as “state recognized media and K-12 education have institutionalized the tribes” and while they are not conferred the same rights erasure of Native peoples to the point that 78% of as federally recognized tribes, they do hold tribal Americans admit they know little to nothing about status within their state.1 Tribal governments exercise Native Americans. A significant number are also not jurisdiction over lands that makes Indian country the sure Native Americans still exist. fourth largest state in the nation.2 The impact and importance of tribal governments should be respected Invisibility is the modern form of racism against Native and cannot be overlooked. Native Americans have, and people. The void is filled by limited representation continue to contribute, to the fabric of this country. that often reinforces toxic myths and stereotypes that fuel ignorance, misinformation and bias. Native sports Tribes and tribal leaders have brought languages back mascots, Halloween costumes, and inaccurate historical from the brink of extinction, continue to pass down representations of Native peoples in television and film traditions through ceremony, and protect the wellness often are the only touch points Americans have. As and health of their community by exercising their Cherokee scholar and advocate Dr. Adrienne Keene sovereignty. It is crucial that Native communities and has noted, “Native Americans are only given choices of our allies fight for authentic, accurate, and contemporary stereotypes and misrepresentation, or utter invisibility.” representations of Native Americans and advocate for The powerful and pervasive systems of media, pop the recognition and celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ culture and K-12 education inform perceptions, Day in their communities. 1. http://www.ncai.org/policy-issues/tribal-governance 2. http://www.ncsl.org/research/state-tribal-institute/state-recognition-of-american-indian-tribes.aspx 1 The experience of Indigenous peoples with colonization and what we have learned from Native advocates who in what is now the United States, is not a unique part have, and continue to be, on the frontlines fighting of global history. Colonization has had, and continues for change. In this toolkit, you will find case studies, to have, a widespread and devastating impact on key questions and answers, messages, a comprehensive Indigenous communities around the world and endures how-to-guides on advocating to your representative as a tool of oppressors. Native communities today are and building a coalition, and more. While this toolkit fighting to protect our way of life, and our land and is not exhaustive, it can serve as a foundation to support water, across the United States, in Central and South advocates and allies in their work. America, and beyond. We hope that our work can support Indigenous peoples IllumiNative focuses on the experiences of Native around the world as they combat invisibility. We stand peoples here in the United States. This toolkit draws on in solidarity with them. the lessons and research we have about our experiences ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to IllumiNative’s campaign partners, the contributors to this toolkit, and our Be IllumiNative national Indigenous Peoples’ Day Campaign partners: BUFFALO NICKEL CREATIVE JULISA LOPEZ UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN DR. STEPHANIE FRYBERG UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN MARCOS AGUILAR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SEMILLAS SOCIEDAD CIVIL AND ANAHUA- DR. ARIANNE EASON CALMECAC INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY OF NORTH UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA- BERKELEY AMERICA HATTAWAY COMMUNICATIONS VOICES FOR HEALTHY KIDS AN INITIATIVE OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION Special thanks and gratitude to the activists and leaders who have fearlessly advocated and fought for the rights, well- being, and sovereignty of Native communities. We look forward to meeting the activists and leaders who join them. 2 WHY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY FORWARD BY: DR. ARIANNE E. EASON UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY DR. STEPHANIE A. FRYBERG (TULALIP), UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN JULISA LOPEZ (AMAH MUTSUN TRIBAL BAND), UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WHAT IS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY AND WHO WHY IS CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ CELEBRATES IT? DAY IMPORTANT? Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a holiday celebrated on the To fully appreciate the importance of celebrating second Monday of October in the United States, in Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we must begin by lieu of Columbus Day. Indigenous Peoples’ Day, at its understanding how Native peoples are (or are not) core, aims to celebrate and honor the past, present, and represented throughout mainstream society in the futures of Native peoples throughout the United States United States. Representations not only serve as a and acknowledges the legacy of colonialism, which reflection of how society views a group, but also influences has devastated Indigenous communities historically how people think about the group in question4. Because and continues to negatively impact them today. More representations are all around