Across the country, individuals, organizations, and governments are recognizing the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. It is a change intended to honor Native Americans instead of honoring Christopher Columbus for all that he did and all he represents. Ceasing celebration of Christopher Columbus is an acknowledgment that Columbus led his men in heinous acts of murder and torture of thousands of Indigenous children, women, and men. Columbus represents the human destructiveness of colonial invasions and domination – and the beginning of the genocide of Indigenous people in this hemisphere.
Now we ask ourselves, what does it mean to honor Indigenous people? We answer this question within the context of a dominant culture that insists on maintaining its own narrative about Indigenous people and refuses to acknowledge the overwhelming evidence that the narrative has been filled with lies including the lies of ‘honoring’ Native people through Indian mascots, favorite children’s literature, movies, place names, and
more.
We have a lot to learn about how to honor Indigenous people.
When communities replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we see the cracks in the false narrative and an opening for the truth to shine in. We celebrate those who have been and are working to open those cracks for more education, healing, and change.
Maine communities are beginning to focus on the work that needs to be done in their own neighborhoods, recognizing that dismantling white supremacy and racist structures is the responsibility of non-Native people, not an additional burden to be borne by Native people. People across this territory are taking it upon themselves to dismantle historical lies and myths that have shrouded the truth. Across Maine people are seeking to honor Indigenous people by:
- learning about the collective histories and current relationships of Native and non-Native peoples through workshops, presentations, sermons, readings, films, and conversations.
- connecting deeply with the land and waters and the responsibility we have to protect and restore the health of the earth
- taking action for the land and waters
- taking action to stop the state from continuing to take away territory, health and opportunity from Wabanaki people
Columbus Day was created to reinforce a limited narrative that our country was founded by brave explorers and settlers. That narrative told us that wars, slavery, and other forms of oppression were unfortunate by-products of the overall success of this earlier age. In this narrative, genocide does not exist in America. When we gather to learn the full narrative, the full truth, we are involved in shaking the foundation of racism in this country. When we gather to deepen our commitment to health of the land and waters, we are creating a future for generations to come. When we take action, we honor Indigenous people.
Together - we are writing our Grandchildren’s history – one that they will be proud of.
Resources for Learning
One way we can honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day is to continue our learning about the impacts of colonization and what we can do to promote healing and change. There are so many good resources available these days. The REACH website includes a few key resources to deepen our knowledge and understanding -https://www.wabanakireach.org/educational_resources. Look for additional resources to be added to our website in the new year!
REACH leaders, Maria Girouard and Esther Anne, hosted a radio program on WERU. The archive holds a treasure trove of heartfelt conversations with a variety of people. Please visit the archives and check out the wonderful content there - https://archives.weru.org/category/dawnland-signals/.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Events
1. The Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission (MITSC) is holding an audiobook launch of SEA RUN, authored by Dr. Anthony (Tony) Sutton and Judd Esty-Kendall, Esq., at their event on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, October 13, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Veazie Salmon Club, the site of a key dam removal on the Penobscot River. You can confirm your attendance by October 6, 2025, by registering directly here.
For thousands of years preceding European contact, Wabanaki people were sustained by massive populations of sea-run fish in Maine’s rivers. Brought to life through the voices of individual Wabanaki tribal citizens, Sea Run examines the factors that limited tribal people’s access to the fisheries and contributed to the severe decline in the fisheries themselves, and offers recommendations for their revitalization. Attend this important event to hear from co-author Judd Esty-Kendall, Wabanaki leaders, and other distinguished guests involved in fisheries restoration.
2. The Portland Museum of Art (PMA) is hosting an open house with free admission all day on 10/13/25 with art and films by Indigenous artists (https://www.portlandmuseum.org/eventscalendar/2025/10/13/indigenous-peoples-day-open-house).
They will also present the 2025 Sundance Institute Indigenous Film Tour, a 98-minute theatrical program featuring 7 short films from Indigenous filmmakers: six from the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and one from the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The curated selection reflects a variety of Native stories and showcases inventive, original storytelling from indigenous artists previously supported by the Festival. Sundance Institute has a long history of supporting and launching talented Indigenous directors including Erica Tremblay, Taika Waititi, Blackhorse Lowe, Sterlin Harjo, Sky Hopinka, Caroline Monnet, Fox Maxy, and Shaandiin Tome.
Links to get tickets for:
- 1pm film showings - https://www.portlandmuseum.org/eventscalendar/sundance-indigenous-tour
- 4pm film showings - https://www.portlandmuseum.org/eventscalendar/sundance--tour-2
3. The Children's Museum &; Theatre of Maine in Portland, on October 13, 2025 from 10 am – 11 am, will host the Burnurwubskek Singers from the Penobscot Nation who will be drumming and sharing songs and stories from their 25 years as a drum group. After participating in drumming and dancing, visit Ckuwaponahkiyik Atkuhkakonol: Wabanaki Storytelling Through Art and Traditions. This outdoor exhibit celebrates and highlights Wabanaki storytelling and art traditions that have been part of this cultural landscape that we currently call Maine for over 12,000 years. For more information, call the Children’s Museum at (207) 828-1234.
4. The Abbe Museum, in Bar Harbor, will a few things going on that day:
An opening of a birch basket touch table
An Inter-tribal drum group, the Rez Dogs 10:30 am - noon
A Sweetgrass Print Making workshop at 1:00-3:00 pm
Check the Abbe Museum's calendar - https://www.abbemuseum.org/events for more information.