What is Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a global celebration of indigenous people around the world. In the United States and other countries in the Western Hemisphere, it is meant to replace Columbus Day, which celebrated the “discovery” of the Americas by Christopher Columbus. Many indigenous groups recognize this celebration of “discovery” and Columbus Day ignores the subjugation of indigenous populations across the Western Hemisphere, which includes genocide, ethnic cleansing, and other issues associated with systemic racism. Although Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated around the world, the resources below are primarily restricted to issues indigenous people in the United States have faced and continue to endure. Juliette Jackson, 2L, and member of the Klamath Tribes of Oregon, is reviving the Native American Law Students Association (NALSA) at the Washington College of Law. If you identify as an indigenous person or are a non-native student with an interest in tribal law, and would like more information on how to join NALSA, please contact, Juliette.Jackson@student.american.edu
Why “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” instead of “Columbus Day”?
- https://www.npr.org/2019/10/14/769083847/columbus-day-or-indigenous-peoples-day
- https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-american-indian/2019/10/11/indigenous-peoples-day-2019/
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/why-more-people-are-celebrating-indigenous-peoples-day
Articles
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
- Background information:
- Lakota People’s Law Project MMIW Resource Site:
- “Unmasking the Hidden Crisis of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW): Exploring Solutions to End the Cycle of Violence”:
- The Connection Between Pipelines and Sexual Violence:
- Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Native Women and Men:
- Unmasking the Hidden Crisis of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women: Exploring Solutions to End the Cycle of Violence:
- Correlations of violence against cisgender Native American women and denial of reproductive rights:
Natives Are Not Your Mascot
- Study finds only harmful effects from Native-themed mascots:
- Ending the Era of Harmful “Indian” Mascots:
- Summary of the APA Resolution Recommending Retirement of American Indian Mascots:
- WCL’s connection:
Mauna Kea
- Why are Jason Momoa and other Native Hawaiians protesting a telescope on Mauna Kea? What’s at stake?:
- The pandemic hasn’t stopped Native Hawaiians’ fight to protect Mauna kea:
#NoDAPL & other Pipelines
- How young Native Americans built and sustained the #NoDAPL movement:
- How #NoDAPL united a movement for indigenous rights:
- The #NoDAPL movement was powerful, factual, and Indigenous-led. Lawsuit lies can’t change that:
- Standing with Standing Rock: Voices from the #NoDAPL Movement:
- Enbridge Line 5 – Michigan Tribes Say Line 5 Pipeline Ignores Treaty Rights:
- What Northwestern tribes say about the Jordan Cove pipeline:
Native American Civil Rights Movement
- Background:
- Occupying Alcatraz: The spark that lit the US Red Power movement:
- REBUILDING INDIGENOUS NATIONS:
- The Rebirth of Red Power:
- The Time Marlon Brando Boycotted Oscars to Protest Hollywood’s Treatment of Native Americans:
Stolen Children
- Background:
- Indian Boarding Schools:
- Correlations with Stolen Children and the Foster Care System in the United States:
- https://www.nicwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Disproportionality-Table.pdf
- https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/about/news-room/press-releases-and-statements/2007/11/19/american-indian-children-overrepresented-in-nations-foster-care-system-new-report-finds
- https://www.teenvogue.com/story/foster-care-has-failed-native-american-youth
Cultural Protections & Language Revitalization
- Indian Arts and Crafts Act (1990) & Indian Arts and Crafts Boards
- Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act & Administration for Native Americans:
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) (1990):
- National Congress of American Indians – Community & Culture:
US Federal Agencies & Institutions
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA):
- Indian Health Service (IHS):
- Bureau of Indian Education (BIE):
- Committee on Indian Affairs:
- Administration for Native Americans:
- Indian Arts and Crafts Board:
- National Indian Gaming Commission:
- https://www.nigc.gov/
- Subcommittee for Indigenous People of the United States on the Natural Resources Committee: https://naturalresources.house.gov/subcommittees/subcommittee-for-indigenous-peoples-of-the-united-states
- National Museum of the American Indian
- American Indian Smithsonian
- U.S. Department of Interior
- U.S. Department of Justice
- Office of Tribal Justice: https://www.justice.gov/otj
- ENRD
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
- American Indian Environmental Office (AIEO): https://www.epa.gov/tribal/american-indian-environmental-office-aieo
- Office of International and Tribal Affairs (OITA): https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/about-office-international-and-tribal-affairs-oita
Court Cases/Congressional Acts
- Indian Citizenship Act (1924)
- Hawaiian Homes Commission Act (1921)
- Indian Reorganization Act (1934)
- Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (1971)Indian Child Welfare Act (1978)
- Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) (1990)
- Indian Arts and Crafts Act (1990)
- Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act:
- https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/256
- Cobell v. Salazar (2009) https://www.doi.gov/cobell
- American Indian Religious Freedom Act:
- American Indian Arts and Crafts Act:
- City of Sherill v. Oneida Indian Nation of New York, 544 U.S. 197 (2005):
- Indian Child Welfare Act (also see YouTube video on Stolen Children):
- Marshall Trilogy:
- McGirt v. Oklahoma, 140 S.Ct. 2452 (2020) (concluding that Creek Nation maintained their rights to self-governance)
- Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe, 435 U.S. 191 (1978)
Other Indian Law Resources
- Native American Rights Fund (NARF):
- National Congress of American Indians (NCAI):
- Indian Law Blog:
- National Indian Law Library:
- University of New Mexico Indian Law:
- Indian Law Resource Center:
- University of Arizona’s Native Nations Institute:
- University of Northern Arizona’s Office of Native American Initiatives:
Media:
Social media accounts to follow (IG/Twitter):
- @ncai1944
- @ndn.o
- @sacredlandsnativehands
- @lakotalaw
- @lilnativeboy
- @nativewomenswilderness
- @therednationmovement
Podcasts
- All My Relations
- Code Switch
Music
- A Tribe Called Red:
- Redbone:
- https://peoplesworld.org/article/redbone-native-american-rock-band-shines-in-new-graphic-novel/
This primer was created by Mary Marston, Junior Staffer of JGSPL with the assistance of Juliette Jackson, member of the Klamath Tribes of Oregon; Quinn Buchwald, member the Mackinac Bands of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa of Indians; and Professor Ezra Rosser of WCL, who specializes in laws regarding Indian Nations and Indigenous Peoples.