Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrated Monday
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Indigenous Peoples’ Day is being observed Monday as a federal holiday, which honors Native Americans, their land and cultures.
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Although the holiday has been recognized for years in some cities, counties and states, President Joe Biden formally declared it a federal holiday last year. As previously reported, the holiday is observed along with Columbus Day, which was established by Congress.
Following Biden’s announcement of Indigenous Peoples’ Day last year, city leaders in Minneapolis and St. Paul moved to recognize the holiday as well.
Some places are closed Monday, including some city offices. However, since it isn’t officially a state holiday, DMV locations and state courts will be open.
St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) held a community celebration on Monday, including a parade. (KSTP)
Other places that will be closed include banks and the U.S. Postal Service.
Although banks are closed, the New York Stock Exchange will be trading. In addition, drivers for Fed-Ex, UPS and Amazon will be out.
Hennepin and Ramsey County offices will be open Monday.
RELATED: Native American culture honored ahead of Indigenous Peoples’ Day
St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) will also be holding a community celebration for the holiday. The event included a parade, which started at 11 a.m. The parade route included Margaret Park and Indian Mounds Regional Park, where there will be dancing, music demonstrations and more.
Minneapolis has been home to a large Native American population since the Relocation act in the 1950s.
Events throughout Minnesota
In addition to the SPPS event mentioned above, there are a handful of events Monday to mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day:
DULUTH – The Duluth Indigenous Commission is hosting an event outside Duluth City Hall Monday afternoon.
MANKATO – Mankato’s Indigenous People’s Day Committee is hosting a day full of events, with this year’s theme being “Keeping Indigenous History: Growing our Seeds.”
MILLE LACS – The Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post in Onamia is a restored 1930s Trading Post and is home to interactive exhibits that tell the story of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.
ST. PAUL – There is an exhibit at the Minnesota History Center which highlights communities and their stories, including Ojibwe and Dakota.