Indigenous communities from around the world will gather to mark the 10th anniversary of the East Coast’s largest Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration, hosted by the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee (IPDNYC).
This significant event, held at Randall’s Island Park from Sunday, October 13, to Monday, October 14, 2024, is a tribute to over 532 years of Indigenous survival and cultural resilience. The gathering challenges the legacy of Columbus Day and is free and open to the public.
Festivities kick off on Sunday, October 13, with gates opening at 10:00 a.m., followed by a vibrant Intertribal Grand Entry at noon. Traditional performances will continue until sundown, showcasing Indigenous culture and heritage. On Monday, October 14, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the celebration begins with a sacred Sunrise Tobacco and Water Ceremony at 7:00 a.m., with programming continuing until 2:00 p.m. This year’s gathering is dedicated to fostering unity, remembrance, and joy, while highlighting Indigenous resistance movements and the ongoing fight for Indigenous rights and sacred land protection.
A special part of this year’s event is a tribute to the late LaDonna Brave Bull Allard (1956-2021), the founder of the Sacred Stone Camp at Standing Rock. Allard’s leadership was pivotal in the movement to stop the Dakota Access Pipeline, and her legacy continues to inspire Indigenous resistance.
Also returning to IPDNYC 2024 is Pua Case, a prominent advocate for Hawaiian culture and environmental preservation. She is known for her efforts to protect Mauna Kea, a sacred Hawaiian mountain, from the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope.
The case will lead the powerful Water Ceremony, held where the East River meets the shore. This moving ceremony emphasizes the importance of praying for all of Earth’s waters and is guided by Chenae Bullock, a cultural practitioner representing the Shinnecock Nation and the Montauk people. Attendees will be guided through the ceremonial protocols, honoring the belief that water holds memories and recognizing those who offer prayers.
Key speakers at this year’s event include Kali Reis, a Seaconke Wampanoag boxer and Emmy-nominated actress from True Detective, and Jordan Marie Whetstone, a Lakota activist from Rising Hearts, who will speak ahead of their participation in the New York Marathon.
In addition to powerful speeches and ceremonies, the event will offer attendees the chance to explore Indigenous art, food, and cultural performances. Visitors can enjoy traditional foods like fry bread, Indian tacos, and buffalo burgers while watching captivating performances, including powwows featuring both competitive and non-competitive traditional dancers. Highlights include the Eastern Blanket, Smoke Dance, and Eastern War vs. Eastern Woodland dances.
“Each year, more people are rethinking Columbus Day,” said Cliff Matias, a founding member of the Indigenous Peoples’ Day New York Committee and founder of the Redhawk Native American Council. “This reflects a growing understanding of our nation’s full history and the resilience and contributions of Indigenous peoples.”
Despite the national significance of the event, New York City has yet to officially recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Neither the city’s mayor nor the state’s governor have attended the IPDNYC festival, and the Indigenous-led nonprofit still faces financial challenges, including paying for park usage.
In response, IPDNYC has launched a Change.org petition to advocate for renaming the holiday and started a GoFundMe campaign to support their efforts. Attendees are encouraged to donate either in advance or at the event.
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