We Are Still Here — Today and Every Day (firstnations.org)

On October 12th, Frist Nations is proud to stand with Native communities across the nation in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This day, which began as a counter-celebration to Columbus Day, raises awareness of the true history of the United States while celebrating the culture and resilience of Native people. It is a day of recognition and respect, and a holiday that more and more states and local governments have been observing every year.

Still, at First Nations, we believe that every day is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Every day is a time to remind others about the factual history of Native people. Every day is the right time to honor Native culture, strength and fortitude. Every day is an opportunity to tell the world: We are here. We are still here. And there is much cause for celebration.

One: Native truth is slowly being reclaimed
In 2016, First Nations launched ground-breaking research into America’s perceptions – and misperceptions – about Native Americans. Here it was uncovered that the majority of information that people have about Native people is not true and oftentimes based in stereotypes or historical myth. Invisibility, inaccurate school education curricula, and lack of Native representation across all aspects of American life contribute to the misconceptions and misbeliefs that most Americans hold about Native American people.

While those findings were disheartening, there are a few positives. The same survey found that:

• 56% of Americans agreed that Native American tribes should have full sovereignty on their land, including the ability to make their own laws without interference from the federal government.
• 69% of Americans believed Native American tribes should have the final say in matters that could affect their water, land, or other natural resources, including resources a tribe might share with a state as in the case of Standing Rock and the Dakota Access Pipeline.
• 75% of Americans believed there should be an increase in the amount of money the United States spends to reduce poverty, improve health care, and improve education among Native Americans.

To read more of the First Nations' post,  please click here.