INDIGENOUS Peoples’ Day will be commemorated on October 14. Not many Americans are aware that this day has been celebrated for 31 years in honor of the original People of the Americas. The celebration takes place on the same day as Columbus Day. Both are United States Federal Holidays. Columbus Day was designated a Federal Holiday in 1937 while Indigenous Peoples’ Day, became official in 2021.
The lack of recognition of our Indigenous history in America is slowly being rectified. Historians’ writings are abundant and available to those who are interested in the rich culture of the “original” Americans. Native Americans have also written novels about their experiences. Native Americans were an established vital civilization before Columbus landed in 1492. The forced assimilation and acquisition of land by the European immigrants caused trauma and damage to the people and the land.
European Christians were accorded permission to take land in the Americas (“new world”) by The Doctrine of Discovery. This was a Papal Bull (an edict) issued by Pope Alexander VI on May 4, 1493, that justified European claims to land and waterways in the name of Christianity. The doctrine stated that:
- Any land not inhabited by Christians was available for Christian rulers to claim and exploit
- The Catholic faith should be spread and exalted
- Nations that were not Christian should be overthrown and brought into Christianity
- The health of souls should be cared for
This document justified a racial and spiritual superiority that gave Europeans permission to take the land and culturally assimilate the Indigenous population.
I had the opportunity to visit Spirit Lake, a Lakota Reservation in North Dakota, on a St. Mark work trip. Fort Totten is the site of the Tribal Headquarters. It ceased being a military post in 1890 when it became an Indian Boarding School where children were acculturated to the “white man’s ways”. They were made to give up their language, appearance, spiritual beliefs, and traditions.
We had dinner with some representatives from the Reservation during our stay. During fellowship time I was able to converse with individuals from the Lakota reservation and learn from Elders’ presentations. We learned that they are determined to reclaim their heritage. They are relearning their language, music, and art. I spoke with one person who taught herself how to make traditional bead jewelry. We heard from one “Elder” who told the sad story of how he was taken from his family and made to attend Ft. Totten boarding school, He described how he ran away several times but was always found and returned to the school. Ft. Totten Indian Boarding School ceased operations in 1959. I had a conversation with a Lakota woman who asked if I was Mexican and if I could speak Spanish. I told her I was brought up bi-lingual but struggled with Spanish now because of my lack of use. She expressed shame because of her ignorance of Lakota language and culture. A joyful time came when we were serenaded by a drum circle. They played some traditional songs and Amazing Grace!
My heritage is 48% indigenous, 48% Spanish, and the 4% left represents just about every Mediterranean country there is. As a person of Mexican heritage, I was brought up to be proud of my indigenous genes but had no real knowledge of that
heritage because European history and culture is all that was formally taught in school.
It was while living in Germany that I gained an appreciation for pre-Columbian history. The German People I encountered were knowledgeable about a history that was totally ignored in my Texas schooling. When I returned to the U.S., I took courses at California State Long Beach. I am so glad I had the opportunity! I learned so much about my history. My heritage is Mexican which is European and Indigenous. In Mexico, it is called mestizo (today it would be called bi-racial). I would describe my physical appearance as mostly Indigenous. I remember my great-grandfather and his story. As a young man, he came to Texas with a cattle drive from Oklahoma. His appearance was striking; very tall and carried himself with great dignity. He looked very Indian. San Marcos, where I was born and grew up, is on the Chisholm trail where cattle drives come through from south Texas to the north. My family comes in various hues. The bi-racial gene pool is large. My family is very proud of our indigenous genes. My Mother always attributed her courage and strength to being Indian! Growing up, I was taught to be very proud of my Indigenous heritage but the actual knowledge of what the Tribe or Clan was has been lost. I tried for answers by subscribing to 23 and Me and Ancestry.com but all I got was that it was north of Mexico. It saddens me that the connection to that part of my heritage is lost.
This is a time of enlightenment in our America. As more history is researched and available, that information will give us a better understanding and appreciation for the Indigenous People of the Americas. Now we know that the reason St. Louis is called Mound City is because there were many mounds where the city is today that were razed when the city was built. We now acknowledge that Pierre Laclede did not discover St. Louis but that a great civilization existed in this area as evidenced by the Cahokia Mounds. Driving Interstate 44 in Cuba Missouri, you will see a sculpture titled “Osage Trail Legacy”. The Osage were forced from that area.
PCUSA General Assembly in 2016 issued an apology for the Doctrine of Discovery and repentance for the massacre of Native Americans. I am so thankful that the knowledge, history, and recognition of Indigenous people is beginning.
Benito Juarez, who was of Zapotec ancestry (President of Mexico 1858-1872) lived by this saying “El respeto al derecho ajeno es paz”, which translates to “Respect for the rights of others is peace”. The Bible teaches us to love our neighbor and I believe with love comes respect.
Teach us love, compassion, and honor so that we may heal the earth and heal each other. – Ojibwa prayer
There is so much to learn about each other.
Berthy Larez
St. Mark Presbyterian Church
