Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Boston

The City of Boston now observes Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday in October, following an Executive Order issued on October 6, 2021, by then-Acting Mayor Kim Janey.

This week, the Council marked that recognition with a resolution honoring the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas and encouraging citywide reflection and celebration.

The resolution acknowledges that Boston is located on the traditional territory of the Massachusett at Ponkapoag Tribe, whose members have lived on and cared for this land since time immemorial. It also recognizes the rich, diverse cultures and histories of Indigenous Peoples, while noting the destructive impact of European American policies – including those in Boston – that sought to suppress those cultures.

Today, Boston is home to at least 11,000 Indigenous people from across the United States and Canada, including members of the Massachusett, Wampanoag, Nipmuc, and other nations, as well as Indigenous residents from Latin America.

Through this resolution, the Council encourages all Bostonians to observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day by reflecting on the history and continued presence of the Massachusett people and other Indigenous communities who have lived in the region. It calls for recognition of both the historical injustices they have endured and the resilience, cultures, and values that Indigenous Peoples continue to contribute to Boston and the broader community.