Native Americans' Day in United States
Quick Facts
Native Americans' Day is celebrated in the state of South Dakota, while Indigenous People's Day is celebrated in Berkeley, California, on the second Monday of October.Local names
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| Native Americans' Day | English |
| Día de los Nativos Americanos | Spanish |
Alternative names
| Name | Language |
|---|---|
| Indigenous People's Day | English |
| Día de los Indigenas | Spanish |
Native Americans' Day 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012 (local in South Dakota)Monday, October 8, 2012 (local in California)
Native Americans' Day 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013 (local in California)Monday, October 14, 2013 (local in South Dakota)
List of dates for other years
The second Monday of October annually marks Columbus Day in many parts the United States but not all states or region follow this observance. Instead, they celebrate other events on the day. For example, South Dakota's official holiday on this date is Native Americans' Day (also known as Native American Day), while people in Berkeley, California, celebrate Indigenous People's Day.
Many Native Americans take part in celebrating Native Americans' Day or Indigenous People's Day in the United States through activities such as pow wows. ©iStockphoto.com/Juan Monino
What do people do?
In South Dakota people celebrate Native Americans' Day through learning from educational resources that focus on the traditions, culture and background of Native Americans. It is a day to celebrate the heritage of Native Americans and for both native and non-native cultures to unite so the many aspects of native culture can be shared.
In Berkeley, California, some organizations, community groups and churches support the day through awareness-raising activities about the history, culture and traditions of indigenous peoples of the United States. Cultural activities such as markets and pow wows, which are gatherings of North America's indigenous people, are held. In modern times, pow wows involve dancing, singing, socializing and celebrating Native American culture.
Public life
Native Americans' Day is a public holiday in South Dakota and in Berkeley, California, instead of Columbus Day. Government offices are closed, as are many businesses and schools. Services such as police and fire departments, as well as emergency health services, may be available on this day.
Background
In 1989 the South Dakota legislature unanimously passed legislation to proclaim 1990 as the “Year of Reconciliation” for Native Americans and to change Columbus Day to Native American Day. Since 1990 the second Monday in October has been celebrated as Native American Day in South Dakota.
In 1992 Columbus Day was no longer observed in Berkeley, California, but Indigenous People's Day would be celebrated instead on the second Monday in October. The city has been known for its political correctness and its officials designated 1992 as the Year of Indigenous People. However the city has been criticized by some community groups that believe that Columbus Day should continue to be observed.
Native Americans' Day Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Oct 8 | 1990 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 14 | 1991 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 12 | 1992 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 12 | 1992 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 11 | 1993 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 11 | 1993 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 10 | 1994 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 10 | 1994 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 9 | 1995 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 9 | 1995 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 14 | 1996 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 14 | 1996 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 13 | 1997 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 13 | 1997 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 12 | 1998 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 12 | 1998 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 11 | 1999 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 11 | 1999 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 9 | 2000 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 9 | 2000 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 8 | 2001 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 8 | 2001 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 14 | 2002 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 14 | 2002 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 13 | 2003 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 13 | 2003 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 11 | 2004 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 11 | 2004 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 10 | 2005 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 10 | 2005 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 9 | 2006 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 9 | 2006 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 8 | 2007 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 8 | 2007 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 13 | 2008 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 13 | 2008 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 12 | 2009 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 12 | 2009 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 11 | 2010 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 11 | 2010 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 10 | 2011 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 10 | 2011 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 8 | 2012 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 8 | 2012 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 14 | 2013 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 14 | 2013 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 13 | 2014 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 13 | 2014 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
| Mon | Oct 12 | 2015 | Indigenous People's Day | Local observance | California |
| Mon | Oct 12 | 2015 | Native Americans' Day | Local observance | South Dakota |
Related holidays
- International Day of the World's Indigenous People ―Thursday, August 9, 2012
- Columbus Day ―Monday, October 8, 2012
- American Indian Heritage Day ―Friday, November 23, 2012
Other holidays in October 2012 in United States
- International Day of Older Persons ―Monday, October 1, 2012
- Child Health Day ―Monday, October 1, 2012
- World Habitat Day ―Monday, October 1, 2012
- First day of Sukkot ―Monday, October 1, 2012
- International Day of Non-Violence ―Tuesday, October 2, 2012
- Feast of St Francis of Assisi ―Thursday, October 4, 2012
- World Teachers' Day ―Friday, October 5, 2012
- Last day of Sukkot ―Sunday, October 7, 2012
- Columbus Day ―Monday, October 8, 2012
- Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah ―Monday, October 8, 2012
- World Post Day ―Tuesday, October 9, 2012
- Leif Erikson Day ―Tuesday, October 9, 2012
- World Mental Health Day ―Wednesday, October 10, 2012
- International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction ―Wednesday, October 10, 2012
- International Day of the Girl Child ―Thursday, October 11, 2012
- World Sight Day ―Thursday, October 11, 2012
- International Day of Rural Women ―Monday, October 15, 2012
- White Cane Safety Day ―Monday, October 15, 2012
- World Food Day ―Tuesday, October 16, 2012
- Boss's Day ―Tuesday, October 16, 2012
- International Day for the Eradication of Poverty ―Wednesday, October 17, 2012
- Alaska Day ―Thursday, October 18, 2012
- World Development Information Day ―Wednesday, October 24, 2012
- United Nations Day ―Wednesday, October 24, 2012
- Nevada Day ―Friday, October 26, 2012
- Eid-al-Adha ―Friday, October 26, 2012
- World Day for Audiovisual Heritage ―Saturday, October 27, 2012
- World Stroke Day ―Monday, October 29, 2012
- Halloween ―Wednesday, October 31, 2012
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