In case you missed it, this summer our Pennsylvania courts reinstated Columbus Day as the official celebration of the second Monday in October — this, after former Mayor Jim Kenney’s 2021 executive order that the day be rechristened as Indigenous People’s Day, in order to recognize Columbus’s cruelty towards Native Americans. 

Proponents of Columbus Day, on the other hand, cite the holiday’s creation after a 19th century killing of 11 Italians in New Orleans, and a desire to give voice to the city’s large Italian-American community. 

Both communities will hold celebrations this weekend, and throughout the month. Here’s a sampling of how you can honor the traditions in Philly:

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY IN PHILLY

Experience living history at the Museum of the American Revolution, October 11–13

The Old City attraction has always paid attention to Native Americans’ involvement in the Revolutionary War. This weekend, they add to it with a variety of daily activities, including film screenings and traditional music and dancing.

Inside, Kehala (Tuscarora Nation, Turtle Clan) and Jordan (Mohawk, Bear Clan) Smith meet one-on-one with visitors. Other special events include an all-day demonstration of Oneida beadwork, and a Wampum belt craft for kids in Revolution Place. All this is included in normal museum admission.

Admission $25 per adult, $21 senior, student and military, $14 ages 6-17, $2 ACCESS cardholder, free ages 5 & under. 101 S. 3rd Street. Tickets available here.

Check out the Italian-American Heritage Parade, October 12

South Philadelphia, home to many Italian-American organizations and families, will host its annual parade with floats and marching bands. Stick around the area for traditional dinners and educational events from local restaurants and community centers. Be mindful of SEPTA bus detours on this day as well.

Kicks off at Broad and Snyder October 12 at noon, ending at Marconi Park, where from 12:30 to 6pm enjoy Italian food, music, and drink. Pay as you go. 

Join the 15th annual Indigenous People’s Day Celebration at Bartram’s Garden, October 12

For their 15th annual commemoration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Bartram’s Garden has partnered with Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac, an educational organization based in South Philly that’s working to spread awareness about the Indigenous peoples of Anahuac (North America), especially the Mexicayotl culture that flourished in pre-Colombian Mexico. Enjoy dancing, live music, lectures, vendors and family activities.

Free and open to everyone, 11am to 5pm, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard

Revel in Indigenous Arts at Shackamaxon, October 13

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Philly hosts their annual celebration at the site of the signing of the Shackamaxon Treaty (also known as Penn Treaty Park). This year, performers include Lenape dancers from Oklahoma, storyteller Tchin, Andean folk music group Inkarayu, Aztec dance troupe Canpatlaneci , and multitalented Marcus “Quese” Frejo.

Pay-what-you-wish suggested donation of $12 (adults); $5 (elders and youth); 10:30am to 5pm, Penn Treaty Park, 1301 N. Beach Street

Learn your history

Philadelphia is part of Lenapehoking — the region that spans from eastern Pennsylvania to the west edge of Connecticut and from the Hudson Valley to the northern tip of Delaware where the Lenape lived for many thousands of years. Learn the history of how the Delaware tribes were displaced from Philadelphia, pushed off land that is still rightfully theirs according to many treaties including the Treaty of Shackamaxon signed by William Penn and Chief Tamanend (whose sculpture can be found at Front and Market, by Penn’s Landing). 

Visit the James Logan House (also called Stenton) in Germantown, where final negotiations were made regarding the Walking Purchase. Or check out the virtual iteration of the Penn Museum’s past exhibit, Fulfilling a Prophecy: The Past and Present of the Lenape in Pennsylvania. (If you’re an educator, IPD Philly recommends reading Indigenous and Decolonizing Studies in Education.)

Read Indigenous literature

Read the works of Indigenous writers, including: Morgan L. Ridgway, Carla Messinger, Louise Erdrich, Tommy Orange, Denise Low, Steven Newcomb, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and D.A. Lockhart. Get your copies at one of the country’s few Indigenous-owned bookstores.

Support land defense movements

The Split Rock Sweetwater Prayer Camp in northeastern New Jersey was formed in solidarity with the Standing Rock Indian Reservation five years ago. Led by Ramapough Lenape Nation, the camp sits on a sacred site still utilized for significant family and seasonal ceremonies — for which they were just successful in securing a conservation agreement with the Rockland County Legislature to protect the site. Follow their continued efforts here.

Learn about ongoing fights that  groups like the Lakota People’s Law Project are waging to safeguard lands and protect Indigenous Rights in our nation. 

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