Happy Indigenous Peoples Day

Monday, Monday, Holiday Monday. Today- the second Monday in the month of October- is traditionally set aside as Columbus Day, a federal holiday. However, there is a push to change to National Indigenous Peoples Day. No where is the rift more apparent than here in the city of Chicago. There were two separate events celebrating each day, and the arguments are compelling. Due to everything that has been hidden in US history, the story makes it seem like the Indians were just here, fed the pilgrims, waged wars, and and then they just moved to a reservation. "History" doesn't take into account the Native American culture that was here, thousands of years before anyone set foot on this land. I always questioned the discoveries of these explorers. Conquerors. Conquistadores. How do you just discover a land where somebody else is living already? You "discover" a land where people are living, thriving, where you nearly died, and you had to acclimate yourself to try to live. And then you inflict pain and torture on those who taught you how to live on the lay of the land. This has always been an issue with missionaries, businesses and corporations. They come in under the guise of trying to help people, only to see the lush riches and resources that the land has to offer. Then they push people off the land. The Forever joke has been how Manhattan was sold for beads. You can look back (hindsight and 2020 vision will tell you that) and see the value appreciated. But can we get this back? Can we give the land back to the tribes that are still alive? Can we get indigenous people off the reservations? Can they live full lives as the Native Americans that they are? Or is there still fear of the restless natives? There are still protections that need to be held for these people. One of the things that has come to light in the Gabby Petito case is all of the indigenous women who are missing. No one is looking for them and no one knows their names. There are too many links between the Indian nations that were here with the Africans that were brought over during the times of slavery. Centuries before (you can look at the scientific evidence), you could see where the earth used to fit together until the land masses broke apart. Yet no one talks about those types of histories. What they talk about is in 1492 America was "discovered"- the whitewashing of history. It's heartbreaking to look into this country's history. But look at the survivors. Look at the people who are still standing today. People who are using their voice to reclaim their heritage, culture and contributions to this nation.  Facts that need to be seen, to be heard and to be included. Maybe in 20, 30, 40, 50 years down the line, we'll get it right. Or we'll right the wrongs that have been done before today. I'll just say, Happy Indigenous Peoples Day. I tip my hat to the ancestors, and I commend all of those who went before us to make this country great. We can't pin the US on one person. There were many people whose blood, sweat, and tears went into this ground and develop this nation into what it is. And we must recognize them all. We cannot say that these white immigrants, these white refugees who stole land from the indigenous people, and enslaved African people are the only ones who could to say what has happened in this country. The sooner we realize that the sooner things will patch up. And the sooner that we can move forward into a graceful, United States. Share your opinions below. Leave your comments, and let's chop it up a bit. I want to thank you for reading this article and supporting this blog space. Stay safe, masked and healthy. Take Care and God Bless!!!