Community to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day

LAWRENCE – The University of Kansas community is invited to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Lawrence.

Haskell Indian Nations University will host its Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration on Monday, Oct. 10, from 1:30-6:30 p.m. in South Park near downtown Lawrence. The event features a grand entry at 1:30 p.m., as well as food and craft vendors, and is free to the public. KU’s First Nations Student Association is partnering in the event.

“Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a terrific opportunity to celebrate the incredible contributions, traditions and history of indigenous peoples in this country,” said Bernadette Gray-Little, chancellor of the University of Kansas. “I encourage students and staff to use this day as an opportunity to learn, reflect and celebrate.”

Indigenous Peoples' Day – sometimes referred to as Native American Day – is a holiday celebrated in various localities in the United States, including Lawrence. It began as a counter-movement to Columbus Day, promoting Native American culture and commemorating the history of Native American peoples.

Last year, the Lawrence City Commission voted to declare Indigenous Peoples’ Day. At the time of the announcement, Lawrence Mayor Mike Amyx discussed how Lawrence was built upon the homelands of the Kansa and Osage people.

“Indigenous peoples’ intellectual, spiritual and the deep cultural contribution has enhanced the character of the city of Lawrence,” Amyx said.

Additional information is trending on Twitter at #IndigenousPeoplesDay2016.