Why Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day Matters

Indigenous Peoples’ Day challenges the traditional celebration of Christopher Columbus and recognizes the truth of colonial history. This day honors the first inhabitants of the Americas, acknowledging how European colonization devastated their cultures, lands, and lives. By replacing Columbus Day, we acknowledge the resilience and survival of Indigenous peoples, shifting the focus from glorifying conquest to confronting the legacy of colonialism.

The Reality Behind Columbus’ Discovery

People often celebrate Christopher Columbus for “discovering” America, but this romanticized version distorts the truth. Columbus never set foot in what is now the United States. In fact, he landed in the Caribbean, arriving on the island of Guanahani—today part of The Bahamas—on October 12, 1492. He renamed it Isla de San Salvador and claimed it for the Spanish crown. This act marked the beginning of European colonization, a process that would forever alter the landscape and lives of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas.

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This first encounter, often portrayed as a triumph of exploration, set in motion a brutal chain of events. Colonizers erased the Indigenous name of Guanahani, just as they would later erase countless other Indigenous names and cultures. Columbus’s arrival led to the exploitation, enslavement, and eventual genocide of Indigenous populations, all under the guise of spreading European civilization. People often teach Columbus’s voyages as moments of great discovery, but they actually mark the start of Indigenous suffering. The “discovery” of the Americas was, for the Indigenous people, the beginning of widespread colonization, forced labor, and cultural eradication. Celebrating Columbus Day ignores this darker truth, while Indigenous Peoples’ Day offers a platform to reflect on the resilience and strength of those who endured.

The Devastation of the Lucayan People

One of the earliest victims of Columbus’s arrival were the Lucayan people, who inhabited the islands of The Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos. At the time of Columbus’s arrival, the Lucayan population numbered between 40,000 and 80,000. They were a peaceful, thriving community, but their encounter with the Spanish marked the beginning of their tragic destruction. Within a matter of years, the Spanish began enslaving the Lucayans, shipping them to work primarily on the island of Hispaniola.

The Lucayans became one of the first Indigenous peoples in the Americas to face near-total eradication at the hands of European colonizers. Today, people collectively call the islands of The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos the Lucayan Archipelago, a name that solemnly reminds us of the people who once called these islands home.​ A monument on Long Island in The Bahamas pays tribute to the Lucayans, but monuments alone cannot honor their legacy. Indigenous Peoples’ Day helps bring their stories back into the light, allowing us to acknowledge the full impact of Columbus’s arrival and the loss of entire communities like the Lucayans.

The Whitewashing of History and the Glorification of Columbus

For centuries, people have whitewashed Christopher Columbus’s reputation, portraying him as a hero of exploration. Many still remember his voyages as grand feats, but the reality reveals a much darker legacy of cruelty and tyranny. Columbus brutally oppressed the Caribbean during his rule. Historical records, including a recently discovered report by Francisco de Bobadilla, commissioned by Spanish monarchs, detail horrifying accounts of Columbus’s actions.

Columbus’s government in the Indies operated like a dictatorship. One man, caught stealing corn, had his nose and ears cut off, was shackled, and then sold into slavery. When a woman suggested Columbus was of lowly birth, his brother Bartolomé, who also governed alongside him, punished her by stripping her naked and parading her on a mule. Bartolomé ordered her tongue cut out, and Columbus praised his brother for defending the family’s honor.

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This cruelty was so severe that it alarmed even Columbus’s contemporaries. In 1500, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella sent Bobadilla, a member of the Order of Calatrava, to investigate growing rumors of Columbus’s brutality. Bobadilla’s report gathered testimonies from 23 witnesses, both enemies and supporters, all of whom confirmed the horrifying conditions under Columbus’s rule. Columbus was eventually arrested and returned to Spain in chains. Though he never fully regained his titles, he was allowed to return to the Caribbean.

Despite this appalling reality, Columbus continues to be glorified as a hero in many parts of the world. This glorification comes at the cost of erasing the voices of Indigenous peoples who suffered under his tyranny. Even the Spanish monarchs recognized his cruelty, yet modern celebrations of Columbus Day often ignore these truths.

Modern Conservative Views on Colonialism

Even today, some continue to praise the legacy of colonialism, particularly within conservative circles in the West. Conservative American figures like Matt Walsh have made shocking statements celebrating the violent conquest of Indigenous peoples, referring to Native Americans as “savages” and applauding their eradication as a necessary step toward civilization. This rhetoric dismisses centuries of Indigenous suffering and paints colonization as a noble cause.

This trend of romanticizing colonial conquest reflects a broader ideology. In the eyes of some conservatives, the violent colonization and settlement of Indigenous lands was not only inevitable but also heroic. Former President Donald Trump echoed similar sentiments in his 2020 proclamation of Columbus Day, where he emphasized Columbus’s role in opening a “new chapter in world history” and criticized what he called “radical activists” for focusing on Columbus’s atrocities instead of his contributions. Trump’s proclamation celebrated Columbus as a legendary figure and called for patriotic education that preserves the traditional narrative of American history, including the protection of monuments to Columbus and other historical figures.

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This view, disturbingly reminiscent of fascist movements, ignores the immense human cost of colonial conquests. While Trump and others emphasize exploration and heroism, they erase the brutality that accompanied colonization. Modern media often amplifies this glorification. For instance, a recent controversy erupted over a video game where players take on the role of an Aztec warrior fighting Spanish conquistadors. Many players expressed a desire to play as the conquistadors, reinforcing the notion that colonial violence was justified.

Honoring Indigenous History and Resilience

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is more than just a holiday—it’s a vital opportunity to reflect on the rich cultures, histories, and resilience of Indigenous peoples. Unlike Columbus Day, which glorifies the start of a brutal conquest, Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the strength of those who have survived centuries of colonization. It’s a day to remember the stories that were almost lost, to acknowledge the struggles that continue, and to celebrate the vibrant cultures that still thrive today.

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For many Indigenous communities, this day represents both a celebration of survival and a call to action. Indigenous peoples have endured centuries of genocide, forced assimilation, and cultural erasure, yet they continue to fight for their rights and recognition. By celebrating this day, we recognize their ongoing contributions to society and support their efforts to reclaim sovereignty over their lands and cultures.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day encourages us to shift our perspective, to move away from the glorification of colonizers and toward a deeper understanding of the histories and futures of Indigenous peoples. It’s a day that belongs not just to Indigenous communities, but to all of us who value truth, justice, and respect for humanity.