Melrose Set To Celebrate First Indigenous Peoples Day

MELROSE, MA — The city is set to celebrate its first Indigenous Peoples Day with a slate of events.

Oct. 11 will be Indigenous Peoples Day, formerly the Columbus Day holiday. Columbus Day is still a legal holiday codified in state and federal law, but the city will be joining a growing number of Massachusetts communities instead recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day.

Mayor Paul Brodeur issued a proclamation in January stating the city will celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. The notice came one day after the School Committee finished a choppy process to erase Columbus Day from its calendar altogether.

"My hope is that this recognition is one step to not only acknowledge the impact of colonialism, genocide and racism that Native peoples have experienced and continue to face, but also to celebrate the resilience, culture and contributions of Indigenous Peoples," School Committee Chair Jen McAndrew said in a letter at the time.

Related:

• Melrose To Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day
• Columbus Day Compromise Misses Mark In Melrose, Advocates Say
• 2 Councilors Didn't Support Melrose's Holiday Change: Here's Why

Here are the events from the city:

On Oct. 10 at 7 p.m., local historian Jim Bennett will give a virtual presentation for teens and adults titled: “The Massachusett Tribe: A story of survival and resistance.” Jim will talk about the history of the Massachusett People as they faced European settlers invading their land, specifically focusing on the place we call Melrose. Because topics will include some discussion of violence, this would not be suitable for young children. To register, please send an email to IndigenousHistoryMelrose@gmail.com

On Mon., Oct. 11 at 11 am, we invite families and people of all ages to gather at the Gazebo at Ell Pond (on Main St.) for a presentation titled: “This Land: How Indigenous people lived here for thousands of years before the European invasion.” Local historian Jim Bennett will guide the audience through activities that will help them learn how Indigenous people lived in this area before the Europeans invaded, and how the invasion affected them. All ages are welcome. Parents or guardians should accompany young children.

On Mon., Oct. 11, at 6:45 p.m., Melrose Highlands Congregational church will host a screening of DAWNLAND and DEAR GEORGINA. Can reconciliation help heal the scars from childhoods lost? DAWNLAND is the untold story of Indigenous child removal in the US through the nation's first-ever government-endorsed truth and reconciliation commission held in Maine. DEAR GEORGINA follows a Passamaquoddy elder as she tries to fill in the blurry outlines of her identity. A live-streamed conversation between Native American guests and the makers of these short films will follow. PLEASE NOTE: Event is free, but registration is required: https://mhccdawnland.eventbrite.com