Indigenous Peoples' Day

A proclamation signed by President Biden officially declared the second Monday of October Indigenous Peoples' Day. The commemoration is meant to “honor Indigenous peoples’ strength, courage, and resilience…celebrate the vast contributions of Indigenous communities to the world… and recommit to respecting Tribal sovereignty and self-determination”. This proclamation comes after decades of work and organizing by tribes and indigenous people to have their histories and cultures honored.

Stonewall supported activities in 2021 to celebrate the people indigenous to the lands of our center, the Mechoopda Tribe. We honor Mechoopda leaders and organizers and look to their wisdom and expertise for guidance. As such, we are happy to collaborate on and advertise their public events to commemorate the day, but Stonewall does not organize events to honor the day.

Click the buttons below to access recommended resources and readings.

LANDBACK DAY 2021

 Stonewall was honored to partner with local Indigenous groups North Valley Two-Spirits, Indigenous Support Collaborative Nor Cal, Chico Wild Tenders and the Traditional Ecological Knowledge Stewardship Program of the Mechoopda Tribe, and other Native and allied individuals for Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2021 on October 11th. It was, hopefully, the first of many years of collaboration for meaningful programs and presentations on this day.

The daytime program at Verbena Fields featured learning and sharing of skills and knowledge related to Native plants, animals, people, and land. The evening program included music, talks from Indigenous Leaders, live hand-screen printing, and a deeply moving, interactive beginning to a ‘Land Back’ mural to be painted on the wall of Loiter Club by Native artist Siana Sonoquie.