Student reflections: What does Indigenous Peoples’ Day mean to me? 

In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Marquette Right this moment is spotlighting reflections written by a few of our various Native pupil physique. Via their distinct lens, these college students supply a potent restorative historical past of Indigenous peoples by no means found and defiantly resilient. 

Janiah Stewart, Ho-Chunk Nation, freshman majoring in political science and criminology 

Indigenous Folks’s Day is the day that we as Native American individuals have reclaimed as a day to honor our existence, resilience and sovereignty. This can be a day of consciousness, to let the world know that we’re nonetheless right here and that we’ll proceed to rise. Collectively, we keep in mind all of the power our ancestors had and the sacrifices they needed to make to maintain their individuals alive. We’re not simply remnants of the previous depicted inaccurately by historical past books and Hollywood — we’re survivors. We observe the strides now we have made as a neighborhood as we proceed to make our previous seen and our voices heard. It means every part to me once I get the chance to share my experiences and information and educate those that aren’t conscious. Today is about resilience and the love of our neighborhood. We’re Indigenous, we’re sturdy, and we’re irrepressible. We are going to proceed to convey the ability of our ancestors and thrive as we honor at the present time. 

Matejka R. Abeita, Navajo/Laguna Pueblo/Isleta Pueblo, second yr pupil within the Grasp of Athletic Coaching program  

I consider that Indigenous Peoples’ Day is honoring the power and resilience of all Native American individuals. Our individuals endured atrocities all through historical past and had been put right into a class labeled as “different.” It’s by the ability of our prayers and cultural ceremonies that we exist in the present day. The Indigenous college students all through instructional establishments throughout the nation reside proof of our ancestor’s perseverance and sacrifices for his or her future generations. WE ARE STILL HERE! 

By, Ashaila Jackson, sophomore majoring in laptop science and economics and present President of the Native American Pupil Affiliation 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day means having the ability to have a good time my heritage with out being mislabeled or recognizing an individual who didn’t uncover years of traditions and tradition. As an alternative, it’s acknowledged for me as a day to have a good time household, neighborhood and self because it brings us along with traditions and naturally the meals which I hope to grasp cooking from my nookomis (grandma), ninoshenh (auntie) and nizhishenh (uncles). It additionally makes me much more grateful of my roots from Anishinaabe of Purple Cliff Band of Lake Superior.