This month, and today, we celebrate and honor the cultures and histories of the Native American people by recognizing the contributions that indigenous peoples have made to our country and state – long before anyone else settled here, Native Americans were here living, learning, and raising their families.
This holiday allows us to remember and reflect on the narratives and stories we tell ourselves about our nation. Columbus Day affirms the narrative of a country created by Europeans for Europeans. Indigenous Peoples' Day helps us reflect on the stories and past of Native American communities and their place in our country.
In Wisconsin especially, the Menominee, Ojibwe (Chippewa), Potawatomi, and Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) peoples are among the original inhabitants of our great state. Today is an important day to remember, not only to celebrate the achievements of Indigenous Peoples but also to reflect on the harmful effects of racism and colonization that have affected their communities, in violent and tragic ways.
There is still far more work we must do to right wrongs and support Indigenous and Native communities, and that is why we must keep pushing for change.
