Global Notes: “Indigenous People’s Day” Marked in Chicago Powwow

AP EXPLAINS NATIVE AMERICAN POWWOWS
In this April 28, 2017 file photo, a group of Native American elders lead the grand entry to the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, N.M. The Gathering of Nations, one of the world's largest gatherings of indigenous people, is set to begin Friday, April 27, 2018, in Albuquerque, drawing around 3,000 dancers from hundreds of tribes in the U.S., Canada and Mexico and generally pulling in about 80,000 visitors with dances, drum contests and various competitions. Russell Contreras / AP Photo
AP EXPLAINS NATIVE AMERICAN POWWOWS
In this April 28, 2017 file photo, a group of Native American elders lead the grand entry to the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, N.M. The Gathering of Nations, one of the world's largest gatherings of indigenous people, is set to begin Friday, April 27, 2018, in Albuquerque, drawing around 3,000 dancers from hundreds of tribes in the U.S., Canada and Mexico and generally pulling in about 80,000 visitors with dances, drum contests and various competitions. Russell Contreras / AP Photo

Global Notes: “Indigenous People’s Day” Marked in Chicago Powwow

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

In most of the United States, a Monday in early October marks “Columbus Day”. This year’s holiday marks 526 years since Christopher Columbus first landed in the Americas. The date was widely celebrated in the U.S. for centuries. For indigenous peoples, Columbus’ arrival meant genocide. In 1992, Berkeley, California renamed Columbus Day “Indigenous People’s Day,” honoring the people who were forced off of their ancestral lands. Today, Vermont, Minnesota, Alaska, and dozens of municipalities observe the renamed holiday. The American Indian Center in Chicago will host its 65th annual Pow-wow, this weekend at DePaul College Prep. In honor of Indigenous People’s Day, on today’s Global Notes, we’ll play contemporary indigenous music from across nations and genres. As usual, Catalina Maria Johnson, host of Vocalo’s Beat Latino, shares what she’s learned.