5 ways to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Wisconsin

Occurring on October 14 this year, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is the perfect time to get out into your community to learn and uplift Native voices and culture.

Sometimes known as Native American Day or First Peoples’ Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day falls on the second Monday of October each year, which is October 14 this year. If that timeframe sounds familiar, it’s because that day has long been the federal holiday Columbus Day, at least since 1937. Named after Christopher Columbus, who famously arrived in North America in 1492, this holiday sought to celebrate the discovery of the so-called New World despite the fact that Indigenous folks had already been living here.

This is where Indigenous Peoples’ Day comes in. In an effort to reclaim this day and not celebrate the man whose image represents genocide, folks have pivoted to uplifting Indigenous peoples on this day, whether by educating themselves on U.S. history, supporting Indigenous-owned businesses, or even attending powwows to learn more about Indigenous culture. Our fair Wisconsin is even leading the charge, being one of the few U.S. states that doesn’t recognize Columbus Day and has officially honored Indigenous Peoples’ Day in its stead since 2019.

If you’re also curious about how you can support Indigenous folks this Indigenous Peoples’ Day, check out these events happening throughout Wisconsin around October 14, local places to donate, and more.

Go to an Indigenous Peoples’ Day event

The first event you should know about is the 2024 Central Wisconsin Indigenous Peoples’ Day Pow Wow & Native American Art Market, which will be held on Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13, at the Central Wisconsin Convention & Expo Center (10101 Market St, Rothschild, WI 54474).

Hosted by the aptly named Central Wisconsin Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee, the Central Wisconsin Indigenous Peoples’ Day Pow Wow & Native American Art Market is a free event held at the Central Wisconsin Convention & Expo Center in Rothschild, and it’s an excellent avenue to support Indigenous culture and artists whether it’s your first time at a powwow or you’re a seasoned supporter. The doors open at 1 p.m. on both days, and a special feast featuring Indigenous foods will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday. No other details have been released at the time of writing, but this event is sure to be a great time. And since it’s free, stopping by to hear traditional drumming and enjoy some home-cooked food to honor Indigenous traditions should definitely be a priority next month.

The second event you should know — another free one — is the “Special Programming” at the Milwaukee Public Museum (800 W Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53233), which you can attend on Monday, October 14.

Specific details are still mum, but the Milwaukee Public Museum has vowed to champion Indigenous representation and history on this year’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day, as seen on its Events, Programs, and Resources page. The museum is slated to present “special programming” and “educational resources” to help its visitors understand Native “cultures, traditions, and history.” We don’t yet know what this will entail this year, but last year’s festivities included live music and dance performances from Indigenous artists (including Native Mexican artists), presentations about Indigenous history and traditions (for example, one last year was about how trade beads from Europe affected Indigenous folks across North America), chats with the curators who work on Native exhibits at the museum, and more. If this year’s event is anything like last year’s, you won’t want to miss it. 

Photo courtesy of Smithsonian’s National Museum/CC BY-NC 2.0.

Donate to Indigenous causes

Whether you’re unable to make it to an event or simply want to support Native communities, donating is always a kind and beneficial act, and Wisconsin has no shortage of Indigenous causes that accept donations. This is extra important when one considers that Indigenous folks have historically been marginalized, meaning they haven’t had as much financial security or mobility as other groups of people. Here are some notable ones to consider this Indigenous Peoples’ Day:

1. Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition

This organization helps Native elders — those 55 years old and over — receive not only nutritious foods but also ones that are culturally important to them. This program also benefits Indigenous farmers and makers, as the food boxes are typically filled with produce and prepared foods (think homemade jams). Still, donations are a great way to keep this program going, allowing more Indigenous producers and elders to survive.

2. Indian Law Resource Center

As previously established, Indigenous peoples face far more injustices than many other groups, and because of socioeconomic disparities, it can be challenging for them to receive the representation or justice they deserve. Enter the Indian Law Resource Center, which helps Indigenous individuals nationwide. Crucially, 13 states and Washington, D.C., including Wisconsin, participate in the Combined Federal Campaign, meaning federal employees in Wisconsin can raise money for the Indian Law Resource Center. Of course, traditional donations can be made, too.

3. Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc.

This nonprofit organization accepts donations via Daffy, and it uses its funds to aid 12 tribes throughout the Great Lakes region, namely in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. The organization focuses on the physical, mental, and financial health of its tribes, as well as education, childcare, and more. Any donations made go to these various projects that aim to enhance every aspect of Native life.

4. Wisconsin Conservation Voices

Wisconsin Conversation Voices works to protect both the people and the land throughout America’s Dairyland, including promoting diversity and advocating for environmental protections. One of the organization’s key initiatives this year is called Wisconsin Native Vote, and it’s connecting Indigenous people to their voting rights by helping them prepare for the November 5 presidential election, including getting Indigenous folks registered to vote, informing them on important policies, and more. Donations to this cause could help many Indigenous people reclaim their political voice.

5. ACLU of Wisconsin

Similar to the Indian Law Resource Center, the ACLU of Wisconsin goes to bat for Indigenous people who have long been left behind by the national and state governments. Perhaps most importantly, the ACLU of Wisconsin says it “follows [Indigenous peoples] lead,” showing that it listens to the folks it’s trying to uplift rather than prescribing its own fixes. Donations to the ACLU of Wisconsin benefit specific court cases in addition to attempts to pass legislation that could have sweeping benefits for Indigenous people statewide.

Learn about Indigenous history at these 3 Native-run museums

Educating oneself on the history of our state and country is paramount. It’s never Indigenous people’s obligation to educate non-Indigenous folks, so taking initiative is important. We’ve already discussed heading to the Milwaukee Public Museum, but there are a few other museums where you can learn about Indigenous cultures, traditions, and history this Indigenous Peoples’ Day — and year-round.

One of the best things you can do to learn about Indigenous history is to head to one of Wisconsin’s Native-centered museums. First, there’s De Pere’s Oneida Nation Museum, where folks have been able to witness traditional tools, wares, and more since 1979. Adult entrance into the museum is just $4, and it’s open Monday through Friday. You can also support the museum extra by purchasing items from its gift shop. 

Then, there’s the George W. Brown, Jr. Ojibwe Museum & Cultural Center in Lac du Flambeau. Here, visitors can see traditional artifacts — thank canoes, art, dreamcatchers, and more — while also being immersed in Ojibwe culture. Guests can also participate in classes, such as traditional basket-weaving, to get firsthand experience in Ojibwe traditions. Like the Oneida Nation Museum, entry is just $4 for adults. Note, though, that this museum will be closed from September 27 to October 18, so you’ll need to plan to visit before or after Indigenous Peoples’ Day. But the good news is that education is evergreen!

Finally, you can visit the Menominee Cultural Museum in Keshena. Here, you can experience the Menominee way of life for just $5 a person, with the museum open from Monday to Friday year-round. You can see traditional garb, like moccasins and headdresses, and art, and when you’re done, you can head to the neighboring Menominee Logging Camp Museum to get a closer glimpse into how this tribe has historically fared with shelter and, of course, logging, in particular. Just don’t forget to stop in the gift shop, where you can buy Native art in addition to clothes and other souvenirs of your time learning about Indigenous culture and history.

Read about Indigenous history

Can’t make it to a museum? No problem. There are countless resources to choose from that allow you to learn about Indigenous history anywhere, anytime. Here are a few you could dig into this year:

1. “Native People of Wisconsin: Revised and Expanded Edition”

Published and distributed by the Wisconsin Historical Society and written by Native author Patty Loew, this book is a great starting point. It’s marketed as being excellent for “elementary” education, but if you haven’t been exposed to Indigenous culture or history much, there’s no shame in starting here and working your way up. In fact, learning the basics can be one of the best first moves you make as you begin your education journey. This book even received feedback from tribal elders throughout Wisconsin, meaning a lot of love and thought went into its accuracy, storytelling, and historical accounts.

2. “Indian Nations of Wisconsin: Histories of Endurance and Renewal”

This book was also written by Parry Loew and published by the Wisconsin Historical Society, and if its predecessor was a great starting point, this one is where you take the plunge into your commitment to learn more about our state. In fact, this option is especially great because it not only provides a broad historical landscape for the state’s Native populations but also shows the reader how these tribes and communities have progressed over the years. You get more modern history in addition to the older history you likely expect to be in the book. It’s also full of photos and maps, allowing you a complete visual — and visceral — experience.

3. “Native American Communities in Wisconsin, 1600-1960”

Published by The University of Wisconsin Press and penned by American history professor Robert E. Bieder, this book is a more academic take on Indigenous history compared to the previous two options, meaning it’s packed with information and will likely take more time to digest since it’s meant for student consumption. But if you’re serious about learning, this is a great book to pick up, as it provides an overview of how Native communities have adapted over the centuries, maintaining their ways of life and evolving in the face of persecution and discrimination. This book also has some photographs and maps for visual learners. 

Taste Indigenous foods at home and in local restaurants

Food is one of the few things that connects all humans, and cooking and eating dishes from another culture can help you really appreciate and understand it. You gain a sense of what the culture’s common ingredients are, which, in turn, helps you understand its environment, what resources have historically been available to its people, and even how its people connect with those around them. 

According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Native peoples across the state had foods like potatoes, bison, and maple syrup at their ready, as well as myriad berries and what they’ve historically called The Three Sisters, which refers to beans, corn, and squash. Fish have also long been consumed by Indigenous tribes. In Wisconsin, the Indigenous diet would, more specifically, include salmon, sturgeon, trout, and walleye. Wild rice is also a common ingredient in Indigenous dishes, per Madison Magazine. To get a taste of how Indigenous people cook and eat, try gravitating toward the above ingredients this fall. Steamed fish over a bed of fluffy wild rice and sliced, sweated squash would be a great place to start.

On the other side of the coin, you can head to a Native American restaurant to taste authentic Indigenous cuisine. Case in point, Miijim, where chef Bryce Stevenson is fusing traditional dishes with classic French techniques to bring guests a unique experience they won’t get anywhere else. What’s more, the restaurant is decorated with Native art, and Native music can be heard playing from the speakers. Here, you receive an entire experience, and it’s worth uplighting Native chefs and entrepreneurs not only this Indigenous Peoples’ Day but also year-round.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.