2024 Indigenous Peoples’ Day events across Arizona

Learn about eight events worth checking out in Arizona this Indigenous Peoples’ Day. 

“Christopher Columbus was looking to trade for spice in India when he first discovered America, and that is why he began calling the Natives ‘Indians.’” Pretty much all of us have heard some variation of this in an elementary school history lesson. What often gets overlooked is the fact that there were already people here—Native Americans—who were used and sacrificed for the land that we now call the Americas. 

Although Columbus Day is celebrated in more countries than just the United States of America, we have been celebrating Columbus Day since the 18th century, pretty much since the birth of the nation itself. However, in the recent 20th century, people began to recognize the insensitivity behind what the name honors. In 1977, the International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas began conversations about replacing Columbus Day in the Americas. By the ’90s, South Dakota and the city council of Berkeley, California, honored this conversation and instead adopted the name “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”

Arizona is home to 22 recognized tribes and 17 reservations that reside within the state. With that in mind, there are many ways to celebrate and educate yourself on Indigenous Peoples’ Day across the Grand Canyon State, so gear up for the second Monday of October — October 14, to be specific for this year — and check out one of these eight events aiming to reclaim history with our vision of how history can mingle with the present and future. 

Events around Phoenix

Native American Connections: 40th Annual Parade 

Starting on Oak Street and ending on 3rd, this annual parade will take place on Saturday, October 12, beginning at 9 a.m. It takes about two hours for the parade to cover the entire historic route, and with 40 years of experience, it is the perfect way to start your Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend. The theme for this year is “Birth of a New Day: Celebrating New Light and New Beginnings,” which highlights the power of change brought by each new day.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Fest

Once you’ve checked out the parade, head over to the Phoenix Indian Center to find immersive experiences that take place right on the ancestral lands of the O’odham and Piipaash people. Spread across three days — from Saturday, October 11 through Monday, October 14 — events include a musical stage, a cultural stage, skateboarding, pop-up markets, food, and so much more. This is a family-friendly event where anyone can find an interesting experience to celebrate Indigenous culture.

Heard Museum: Generations in Motion

The Heard Museum is an excellent place to explore native history and is nationally known. Naturally, one of the many Indigenous Peoples’ Day events of Phoenix takes place here. This family-friendly event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, October 14th, and focuses on movement and play, which the Heard Museum recognizes as important teachings in tribal communities. All activities and demonstrations will be led by respected community members.

Mesa Community College: Conference-style gathering

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Mesa Community college will host a conference-style gathering complete with food, music, and workshops meant to empower the community. All are welcome, and doors open an hour before it starts, promising a large turnout for an event worthwhile. Since it takes place at the college, you are likely to walk away from this event with an educated understanding of culture.

Events around Tucson

Indigenous Alliance Without Borders: Indigenous Peoples’ Day

This event, which takes place at 225 E 26th Street, is the main event around Tucson celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day. It includes several bands, as well as food and goods vendors. In the 10th year of celebration, this is a great way to spend your Monday with the family between 11AM and 9PM. Attending this event means cultural celebration, but it also means supporting the Indigenous Alliance without Borders, which works inter-tribally from California to Texas to protect indigenous rights. 

Events around Northern Arizona

Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration: Prescott

Located at 147 N. Arizona Avenue at the Museum of Indigenous People, this free, family-friendly event takes place on Monday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As a way to celebrate cultural pride and foster community connection, you can expect music and traditional performances, food, dances, workshops, as well as indigenous vendors. If you plan to drive, note that parking is also free for this event. 

Verde Valley Archaelogical Center and Museum: Sedona

This Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration takes place on Saturday, October 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beginning at 11 a.m., Barbara McCabe, an Apache Culture Specialist at the Yavapai-Apache Nation, will offer a spoken presentation regarding the day and the continued contributions of Native Americans and Indigenous Peoples. This celebration also boasts a Native American Artist Market of 20 Native artists ranging in specializations from pottery, fine art, to apparel and more. This market and presentation include a free entry for anyone interested in joining the festivities, learning more about the day, and purchasing beautifully crafted art from Native artists. 

Honorary Mention

Apache Jii: Globe-Miami

Though not directly associated with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the 41st Annual Apache Jii Festival takes place on Saturday, October 19, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and offers not only cultural immersion but also ways to directly support members of local tribes. Entertainment includes music, dancing, skateboarding, and other performances, and vendors include purveyors of crafts and food (feel free to drown in fry bread tacos). All vendors must belong to a tribe in order to sell at this festival, making it a great way to directly support tribal members of Arizona.

This free event takes place in downtown Globe along the closed-down streets, with local businesses offering discounts to support the Apache Jii. This is an event every Arizonan should attend at least once — but I may be partial as over half of my students belong to the Apache Tribe; attending this event means supporting the family of my community. 

Closing thoughts

Indigenous Peoples’ Day may be the result of a sordid history, but its recognition through the recently adopted name seeks to rewrite the narrative of how history gets to collide with our future. We can recognize the ways in which our land was founded, while also honoring those who were forced to sacrifice so much. Our present day chooses to honor the Indigenous Peoples that Columbus callously mislabeled and colonized from as we head into a future with much more cultural sensitivity, awareness, and celebration.

Regardless of where you reside in the Grand Canyon state, may you find yourself immersed in cultural celebration and recognition this Indigenous Peoples Day. Enjoy! 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that the state of Arizona has not officially recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day. 

READ MORE: 11 places around Phoenix to learn about Native/Indigenous history