Episcopal churches and dioceses to mark Oct. 14 as Indigenous Peoples Day with a variety of services and events
People celebrate the inaugural Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Parade in New York in 2022. The third annual parade is scheduled for Oct. 14 this year. Photo: Reuters
[Episcopal News Service] Indigenous Peoples Day this year is Oct. 14, and a number of states, cities and other entities – including The Episcopal Church – celebrate it instead of the federal holiday of Columbus Day.
In 2022, General Convention urged all Episcopal entities to refer to Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples Day. It also urged all dioceses, parishes, missions and other entities to designate a day honoring Indigenous and Native American siblings.
The Episcopal Church’s Office of Indigenous Ministries celebrates the longstanding presence and influence of Native Americans throughout the history of The Episcopal Church. Indigenous Ministries works for the full inclusion of Indigenous people in the life and leadership of the church and also provides a variety of resources for use by all Episcopalians.
The Rev. Bradley S. Hauff is The Episcopal Church’s missioner for Indigenous ministries, a member of the presiding bishop’s staff. The Rev. Mary Crist is coordinator of Indigenous Theological Education for The Episcopal Church.
The idea for Indigenous Peoples Day began in 1977, according to National Public Radio, when Indigenous people proposed it during a United Nations conference held to address discrimination against Native peoples. South Dakota became the first state to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day in 1989, and today, several states and cities observe it.
In 2021, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. became the first United States president to issue a declaration proclaiming Indigenous Peoples Day. Noting the vibrant and diverse cultures of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians, he issued similar proclamations in 2022 and 2023 and is expected to do the same this year.
The following is a list of some Episcopal events marking Indigenous Peoples Day; all times are local. Check online for additional events hosted by local dioceses and parishes.
The Episcopal Diocese of Maine has developed Prayers of the People for Indigenous Peoples Day that can be used by any church or diocese.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church – On Oct. 13 at the 8:30 and 10 a.m. services, St. Luke’s, Bethesda, Maryland, will celebrate and honor Indigenous brothers and sisters.
St. David’s Episcopal Church – On Oct. 13 at 4:30 p.m., St. David’s, Baltimore, Maryland, offers an afternoon of music commemorating Indigenous Peoples Day. Doors open at 4 p.m.
The event begins with a recital by Choctaw guitarist Alexander Lassa performing portions of Choctaw composer Charles Shadle’s “Wheelock Variations,” based on Choctaw hymns, followed by A Service of Evensong with the choir of St. David’s, including music of Andrew Balfour (Cree) and Connor Chee (Diné).
The event is free and open to the public. A suggested donation of $10-$20 directly benefits the musicians and the music series. The event will also be livestreamed via Facebook and YouTube.
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church – The choir of St. Barnabas, Irvington, New York, at the 10 a.m. service on Oct. 13 will sing a setting of the Lakota lullaby “Chante Waste Hoksila” (My Kind-hearted Boy) in the Lakota language, arranged by composer Linthicum Blackhorse.
The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts – The diocese’s annual Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration will take place on Oct. 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., hosted by Christ Church, Andover. There also will be a children’s program for ages 5-10 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia – The Diocese of Virginia is sponsoring Richmond Indigenous Peoples Day at Powhatan Hill on Oct. 14, 1-7 p.m. The primary purpose of the annual Richmond celebration is to expand educational opportunities and awareness for Richmonders and Virginians of all ages about the history, culture and future of Virginia’s Indian Tribes. The event celebrates the history and culture of Virginia’s 11 federally recognized Indian Tribes and directs specific attention to one tribe each year. In 2023 the event honored the Mattaponi Indian Tribe, and this year it is honoring the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe.
— Melodie Woerman is an Episcopal News Service freelance reporter based in Kansas.
