Indigenous Peoples' Day

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Indigenous Peoples' Day commemorates the Indigenous peoples of North America, celebrates their heritage, and brings awareness to the history of colonialism and genocide. The holiday began at an international United Nations conference on discrimination in 1977. In 1992, the city of Berkeley, California, observed its first "Day of Solidarity with Indigenous People" as a counter-celebration to Columbus Day. Certain states and municipalities in the United States increasingly observe it.

'Pride of the Gobi' wins The Dan Eldon Activist Award at the MY HERO Film Festival

Pride Of The Gobi

By: Will Parrinello

PASSWORD: mvfg 81 year old Batmunkh Luvsandash was determined to protect his homeland from mining.

MY HERO 21st Film Festival - Dan Eldon Activist Award

By: The MY HERO Project

Watch as Dan Parinello receives his award at the MY HERO Film Festival

Batmunkh Luvsandash: The Pride of the Gobi

By: Abigail Richardson

Batmunkh’s transformation from engineer to environmental defender.

Films

Water for Life (Trailer)

By: Maria Jose Calderon, Rick Tejada-Flores

Water For Life explores the collision of water rights, Indigenous beliefs, and resource extraction through the lives of three Latin American community leaders.

Water Flows Together

By: Palmer Morse, Taylor Graham, Matt Mikkelsen

Water Flows Together elevates the importance of acknowledging Indigenous land in outdoor recreation through the voice of Colleen Cooley.

Growing Indigenous Food Sovereignty: Okla Hina Ikhish Holo Network

By: Monique Verdin, Osprey Orielle Lake

At the end of the Mississippi River, in the place the Chahta (Choctaw) call Bvlbancha, the Okla Hina Ikhish Holo, People of the Sacred Medicine Trail, a network of femme and nonbinary Indigenous gardeners, is working urgently to respond to the climate crisis.

Watch the following films about Native American culture and activism.

Water Is Sacred

Produced by:Mentors: Tiana and Wakinyan LaPointe

2020 MHIFF Ocean Conservation Award student winner: When we pray with water, it helps our bodies and the earth, and we say Wopila Tanka (Immeasurable Thanks) for its medicine.

Mni Wikoni ~ Water is Life

Producer: Charles McMahon

The MY HERO Project celebrates the water protectors of planet earth.

Rainforest Action

Will Parrinello

In 2020 Nemonte received the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize and was named to Time Magazine’s Top 100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Smoke That Travels [Trailer]

Producer: Kayla Briët

"What happens when a story is forgotten? I'm making a film about my dad, Gary Wiski-ge-amatyuk, my family, and what it means to be Native American today."

Stories of TRUST - Arizona

Producer: Christi Cooper-Kuhn, Katie Lose-Gilbertson, Kelly Matheson

Young Navajo artist Jaime Lynn Butler campaigns to save the environment of her beloved American Southwest.

Yellow Woman - A Hero Report Excerpt

Produced by:Betty Bailey & Camille Manybeads Tso

Camille Manybeads Tso tells an inspiring true story of Native American heritage.

Films

These heroes, past and present, uplift the voices of their communities through action.

Chief Joseph

By: Jennifer Beck

"The Earth is the mother of all people and all people should have equal rights upon it."

Crazy Horse

By: Carlos

Crazy Horse (Tashunke-witko)

By: Courtney from California

Geronimo

By: Andrew from Wallingford

Red Cloud

By: Eric from San Diego

Chief Joseph

By: Joel from Spokane

"I hope that no more groans of wounded men and women will ever go to the ear of the Great Spirit Chief above, and that all people may be one people."

Chief Wilma Mankiller

By: Susannah Abbey

Chief Wilma Mankiller was the first woman to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Nyla Innuksuk

By: Wendy Jewell

Nyla Innuksuk is a young indigenous filmmaker who is pushing the boundaries of filmmaking, going beyond 2D (flattie) films to VR/AR and 360 with her Mixtape VR company. Check out her journey to date.

Women Heroes Noel Bennett and Tiana Bighorse

By: SUSAN Drennan GABRIEL Bunn

Two storytellers, elder Tiana Bighorse and young Noel Bennett, published Tiana's family history. Now elderly, Noel is collaborating with Tiana's great grandson.

For Younger Readers - By Younger Readers

Christine Quintasket

By: Catherine from Trumbull

Christine Quintasket was the first published Native American woman author.

Baje Whitethorne

By: Olin Smith

Baje Whitethorne is a celebrated Navajo painter and author.

The Buffalo

The Buffalo has a special place in North American history and culture.

Listen & Read Along

The following stories have links so you can hear the audio as you read. Great for ESL students!

Sarah Winnemucca

By: Isabelle from Wallingford

Sarah Winnemucca was an advocate for Paiute rights.

Maria Tallchief

By: Rebecca Miller

Maria Tallchief was the first Native American prima ballerina in the United States.

Stories from the Christian Science Monitor

In Winnipeg, a vacant store is a symbol of Indigenous renewal

By: Sara Miller Llana, CSM Staff writer @sarallana

First Nations plan to turn its flagship Winnipeg store into a force for renewal.

A doctor in Panama’s jungle builds trust among Indigenous groups

By: Adam Williams

March 20, 2025 - One doctor has made huge inroads in Panama by listening to patients and, in the process, changing the conversation around HIV. [CSM Stories]

Art

Artists celebrate Native American leaders and recreate the traditions of this rich culture.

Suzan Shown Harjo

By: Marilyn Huerta

Suzan Shown Harjo is a living hero.Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee, she is an activist who has been fighting for Native American rights since the 1960s.