The Indigenous Peoples Day Committee
In Outreach and Education
Outreach and education is vital to the healing and reconciliation of Indigenous Peoples and Communities. Our committee members are working closely with community members to help bring education and awareness to people all across the country. In order to share truth and knowledge, we must be active in our community. Here are some ways we’ve shared and hope you consider joining the committee to learn and share too.
Resources For Further Learning
April 25, 2023
The following list of resources was selected by members of the Education subcommittee of the Indigenous Peoples Day Committee. The emphasis is history and culture of the Haudenosaunee with some general books on Indigenous Peoples. This list is a good beginning. The authors of the recommended fiction, for example, have many more great books to read. The recommended websites will lead you to many more resources to explore.
Planting The Tree of Peace with Elementary School Children from Schools 17 and 12 in Rochester, New York
October 5, 2022
“It was really important that the children have a part in this, not only do they learn the story of the Peace Keeper which is the story of this land that we’re on, Turtle Island, but also that they would learn the importance of trees and how important it is to care for trees,” said Trish Corcoran of the Tonawanda Onondowaga Bear Clan.
Lauren Leone, News10NBC
Discussing Indigenous Peoples Day with WXXI News, Evan Dawson on “Connections with Evan Dawson”
October 6, 2022
Discussing the inaugural Indigenous Peoples Day in Rochester, New York as City Council unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the day on June 14, 2022. In addition to sharing about the history and celebration of this historical day, there is also discussion of efforts to revive the Seneca language, and investigations into Indian boarding schools.
Emmarae Stein, WXXI News
Native American leaders and Mayor Evans plant tree to honor Indigenous Peoples Day
October 10, 2022
Mayor Malik Evans, alongside Native American leaders and allies came together on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, 2022 and planted a White Pine, Tree of Peace at Cobbs Hill Reservoir.
“When you have the healing, especially with the original people, that healing also penetrates throughout the entire land and we are all aware of how much Rochester and this land is in desperate need of healing,” said Ronalyn Pollack, the Indigenous Peoples Day Committee in Rochester, New York Co-Chair.
Evan Bourtis, News10NBC
How An Interfaith Model Helped Local Coalition End Columbus Day
June 15, 2022
On June 14, 2022, there was a unanimous vote to replace Columbus Day in its entirety with Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a monumental occasion for both Native American and Italian Americans.
“A bit of my story and my journey of realizing that my love of my culture, my love of our heritage, and wanting to share that meant that we had to liberate ourselves from Columbus,” Castania told Sojourners. “Not only liberating Indigenous peoples of Columbus but liberating us.” - Kathy Castania, Indigenous Peoples Day Committee in Rochester, New York Co-Chair.