Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Learning Whose Homelands Hold Your Neighborhood

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is observed on the second Monday of October, which falls on October 12 this year. Many cities and towns in Massachusetts, including Boston, now recognize the day as a time to honor the Native peoples of this land and to learn about their histories, cultures and continuing presence in the region.

For neighbors who want to mark the day thoughtfully, the most meaningful approach is often the simplest: learn about the Native nations whose homelands include the place you live, listen to Native voices, and carry that learning into the rest of the year.

Start With Place

Every neighborhood in New England sits on the homelands of Native peoples. Many place names around you, including rivers, hills, towns and even the state itself, come from Indigenous languages. The name Massachusetts comes from the Massachusett people, whose homelands include much of the Boston area. Other Native nations with deep roots in what is now Massachusetts include the Wampanoag, the Nipmuc and others.

A good first step is to learn more about the people connected to your specific area:

• Ask a librarian for books, articles or local history resources about Native nations in your region.
• Look up the origins of local place names, such as rivers, ponds or neighborhoods.
• Visit the websites of tribal nations and Native-led organizations in New England, which often share history and current news in their own words.

Remember: Present, Not Only Past

One of the most important ideas to share, especially with children, is that Native peoples are not only part of history. Native communities live, work, govern and celebrate throughout New England today. When learning, look for sources that include contemporary voices, current events and living traditions alongside historical accounts.

• Use present tense when appropriate: “The Wampanoag people live in Massachusetts,” not only “lived.”
• Look for books and media created by Native authors, artists and filmmakers.
• Be curious about current issues and achievements in Native communities, not just stories from centuries ago.

Ideas for Families

• Read together. Many libraries keep lists of children’s books by Native authors. Ask for recommendations that are accurate and respectful.
• Explore a map. Find your home on a map and talk about the rivers, coastlines and hills that shaped how people lived here for thousands of years.
• Learn local words. Look up the meanings of nearby place names that come from Indigenous languages.
• Visit a museum or historical society. Some institutions in the region have exhibits developed with Native communities. Ask staff how the exhibits were created.
• Attend a public event. Some communities host talks, films or gatherings on or around Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Check your library, local colleges and city or town announcements.

What to Avoid

Learning respectfully means steering clear of a few common missteps:

• Costumes and stereotypes. Headdresses, “dress-up” outfits and cartoon images reduce living cultures to caricatures. Avoid them for Halloween and any other occasion.
• Crafts that imitate sacred items. Some objects, like certain headdresses or ceremonial items, hold deep cultural or spiritual significance. Focus on learning instead of imitating.
• Treating all Native peoples as one group. There are hundreds of distinct tribal nations in the United States, each with its own language, history and traditions.
• Relying on outdated sources. Older books and materials sometimes contain inaccurate or harmful portrayals. Ask librarians for current, well-reviewed resources.

Ideas for Neighbors and Community Groups

• Host a book discussion featuring a work by a Native author.
• Invite a speaker from a Native-led organization, and offer an honorarium for their time and expertise.
• Support Native artists, writers and businesses by purchasing their work directly.
• Learn about local land and water issues, many of which involve Native communities’ long relationships with the region’s natural places.
• Ask whether your organization’s history, signage or materials could be more accurate about the area’s Native history.

Talking With Children

Children often ask big questions. Some simple ways to frame the day:

• “Native people have lived here for thousands of years, and they still live here today.”
• “Different Native nations have their own languages, foods, stories and ways of life.”
• “Today is a day to learn about them and to listen to what they want people to know.”

It is okay to say, “That’s a great question. Let’s find out together.” Modeling curiosity and humility is a lesson in itself.

Keep Learning Beyond One Day

A single day can open a door, but lasting understanding comes from continued attention. Consider adding a few books by Native authors to your reading list for the year, following Native-led organizations, or marking other dates that are meaningful to Native communities in your region, such as November, which is Native American Heritage Month.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Checklist

• Learn which Native nations’ homelands include your area
• Look up the meanings of local place names
• Read a book by a Native author
• Seek out contemporary Native voices
• Avoid stereotypes, costumes and imitation of sacred items
• Support Native artists and businesses directly
• Plan to keep learning throughout the year

Learning Close to Home

Libraries, local historical societies and nearby colleges often have collections and programs that can help you learn about the Native history of your specific town or neighborhood. Ask staff how materials were created and whether Native communities were involved. Visiting nearby rivers, ponds and coastlines with a new understanding of their long history can also be a quiet, meaningful way to mark the day with family.