About This Holiday

Worksheet Description

This educational worksheet is dedicated to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day to honor and celebrate the history and culture of Native Americans, the first people who lived in what is now known as the United States of America.

The worksheet begins by recounting the origins of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which traces back to a United Nations conference in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1977. It was first celebrated in the U.S. in Berkeley, California, in 1992, as a counter-celebration to Columbus Day. This day serves as a reminder that Native American people were the original inhabitants of the Americas, a fact which the conventional celebration of Columbus Day often overlooks.

Furthermore, the worksheet describes how Indigenous Peoples’ Day is now observed on the second Monday of October, offering an alternative to Columbus Day. It encourages schools and communities to engage in activities that educate about the history, traditions, and cultures of Native American tribes. These activities often include learning from Native American speakers, studying their art and music, and participating in community events that celebrate Native American contributions to society. Through this engagement, the worksheet aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Native American heritage.