Indigenous Peoples' Day is Oct. 13, 2025! Celebrated annually on the second Monday of October, the holiday recognizes the resilience and diversity of Indigenous Peoples—past, present, and future—in the United States.
Check out the following resources for honoring Indigenous history and culture on Indigenous Peoples Day, during Native American Heritage Month (November), and year-round.
Unlearning Columbus Day Myths: Celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day
In this brief article from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, read about the symbolic importance of celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day in the US. Rather than celebrating Columbus and other explorers who colonized the Americas, destroying an estimated 95% of the Native American population in the process, Indigenous Peoples Day recognizes Native people's continued fight for liberation. Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day honors this fight, as well as Indigenous histories of "cultural persistence, creative adaptation, renewal, and resilience."
NK360° STEM Educational Resources
The Native Knowledge 360° (NK360°) Education Initiative is a program of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian that provides educators and students with new perspectives on Native American history and cultures. The initiative aims to broaden exposure to Native American history beyond the typical one-sided perspective offered by popular media and textbooks. NK360° offers educational materials, virtual student programs, and teacher training. Check out their free STEM educational resources.
iNative Shorts for Kids
Vision Maker Media's iNative Shorts for Kids YouTube channel introduces children ages 6-12 to Native issues and histories through engaging, educational content—with animated assistance from Frankie the Hawk. The videos are organized by themes, such as Identity Matters, Leaders of Tomorrow, and Living Legacies. Each theme includes shorts on a variety of interdisciplinary topics—from designing with math to shapes and pattern recognition to Native food sovereignty to Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte's legacy of providing healthcare for others. The videos are available to watch anytime for free. Each short includes an accompanying iNative Activity Sheet, which you can request access to by clicking the link in the video's description.
UNL Indigenous Garden
Planted on Sept. 16, the new Indigenous garden on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a space for honoring Native presence, traditional ecological knowledge and community gathering. In a circular bed northwest of Woods hall, the garden features native species, a large sun circle, and a small outdoor classroom designed for both teaching and ceremony. Learn more about the Indigenous garden.
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