Some Thoughts On Indigenous Peoples’ Day
I grew up celebrating, “Columbus Day.” But then I discovered some sick truths. And for any one who doubts the sadism of Christopher Columbus, consider that he:
- sold nine year old Indigenous girls into sex slavery and then bragged in letters: “There are plenty of dealers who go about looking for girls; those from nine to ten are now in demand, and for all ages a good price must be paid.”
- cut off the hands of Indigenous people if they weren’t “fast enough” at collecting gold for HIM. Beheadings were also a regular “activity”
- forced approximately 50,000 Indigenous people to commit suicide
That’s just the start of a laundry list. But now consider this: scholars agree that the last stage of any genocide is denial that the genocide took place. This makes Columbus Day a ritual that celebrates the last stage of genocide.
So the fact that Indigenous People’s Day has been replacing Columbus Day across the country is INCREDIBLE. Now, as we remember that we stand on stolen Indigenous land, we get to move towards a paradigm where we do not work AGAINST nature but WITH nature.
On this day and every day afterwards, may we express our humility and gratitude; may we work for the rights of Indigenous people worldwide as they continue to defend over 80% of our world’s rich biodiversity. May we recognize that this is essential work.
It is sacred work that is required to undo the extinction crisis and mitigate the climate crisis. Hopefully, we will not only collectively apologize to Indigenous peoples with truth, listening, and deep relationship…but also proactively work alongside them for their rights and the rights of all beings.
Happy and Healthy Indigenous People’s Day everyone!
