Humboldt State University kicks off Indigenous Peoples’ Week

ARCATA, Calif. (KIEM) — Monday is Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Humboldt State University is kicking off its 27th annual Indigenous Peoples’ Week featuring a variety of virtual events.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first adopted in 1992 by the City of Berkeley in place of Columbus Day. Now, more than 130 cities in 14 states celebrate the day.

HSU’s weeklong event will focus on indigenous policy, issues, and contributions, as well as exposing the generational traumas resulting from colonization. It will feature a number of lectures and guest speakers, including Muscogee Creek Nation performer and writer Joy Harjo and Cherokee Nation storyteller Gayle Ross. Event coordinators hope this will encourage people to think about the story of Christopher Columbus in a different light.

“Our hope is that people will start exploring the narrative that’s being presented, start looking at history the way that it’s told, who’s telling the story, and what is the motive behind this story. For our young people in particular, for them to see themselves and their people in a positive light,” according to Adrienne Colegrove-Raymond, coordinator for the Indian Tribal Educational Personnel Program.

A full list of this week’s events can be found on HSU’s website.