| Take action by sharing this image on Facebook and Twitter to celebrate the alternate Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples Day! Dear Supporter, Most people in the U.S. will take the second Monday in October to honor the Italian explorer who discovered the Americas for the Spanish Empire all the way back in 1942. For many, it’s just another day off. However, in recognition of Columbus, we almost always forget the life-altering impact that Columbus had on the indigenous peoples of this “New World” that he discovered. 
 
This October 14th, share this image to remember all of the people of the Americas in celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day! Almost all children growing up in the U.S. can recite the ships that sailed with Columbus on his first voyage to the Americas, “the Niña, Pinta, and the Santa Maria.” Yet Indigenous communities throughout the Americas are still living the consequences of Columbus’ “discovery” of their lands. Not only are many communities striving to maintain their own languages and cultural identity in a world of rapid globalization, many groups throughout the Americas are still fighting for respect of their basic human rights. There are still conflicts with current governments and indigenous groups over disputes of lost land, territory and resources. Most indigenous communities are also facing further displacement due to interest from national and international companies to have access to highly desired natural resources, which are conveniently located on “native land.” While various communities throughout the Americas have become mobilized to defend their rights, the impoverished state of these communities has sparked some interest in selling their resources in order to provide a better future for their communities. This in turn, has created internal conflict amongst some indigenous communities who believe that their ancestral lands are sacred. Celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day in the United States, as an alternative to Columbus Day, began in Berkley, California in 1992 with a festival of Native American culture. This tradition is still carried on today and has gained popular recognition throughout the U.S. as an alternative celebration to Columbus Day. Do your part to support indigenous communities this Oct. 14th by sharing this image on Facebook and Twitter and reconsider Columbus Day by celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day! Best, The Latin America Working Group | 
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