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Five Things To Do This Week
In observation of the many days and weeks that this month brings, we have put together important information for you to know. We have included some background information and reasons why such dates exist. It is always helpful to know the historical value of such dates. Below is just a snippet of things to do and/or learn this week.
History of Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Monday, October 10th
Appreciating and paying respect to the unique heritage and culture of those whose origins are native to the Americas, Indigenous Peoples’ Day offers the opportunity to honor, learn, celebrate and raise awareness.
Honoring Native American people throughout the United States, Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first officially celebrated in the US in 2021, when US President Joe Biden became the first president to formally recognize the day. However, the idea for the day goes back much further.
In 1977, the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland sponsored the International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas. Part of the purpose was to begin celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day, particularly with the idea of replacing the adoration and glorification of Christopher Columbus with recognition and acknowledgement of the native peoples of the land.
Columbus Day, which is an American holiday, falls on the second Monday of October in the United States, has been less revered in recent years. This is likely due to the fact that the indigenous peoples of the time had their lands and lives taken away from them by the settlers from Europe, and the American people are becoming more aware of the way history has been written only from the perspective of the white person.
In exchange for Columbus Day, many people in the United States have begun the celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day instead. Coinciding with the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus on American soil, a celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day was organized on October 12, 1992 in Berkeley, California. Many other cities and towns have accepted and implemented something similar in their communities, including places such as Los Angeles, California and Washington, DC.
At least twelve of the United States do not celebrate Columbus Day, and the state of South Dakota celebrates Native American Day instead. Tribal governments in Oklahoma have also made declarations regarding the celebration of Native American Day.
How to Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day
A wide spectrum of ways for Americans to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day can be discovered and created. Consider implementing some of these ideas in honor of the day, or come up with some of your own clever ideas:
- Attend an Indigenous Peoples’ Day Event
Those who have a family history as a Native American or other indigenous people should certainly take this time to celebrate their heritage! And those who don’t can definitely take the opportunity to support and enjoy learning more.
For people who live in certain places where the populations of indigenous peoples groups are strong, like Arizona, California, Oklahoma, South Dakota and many other states, it is likely that some exciting events, educational programs and celebrations will be on the calendar! Join in on a parade, learn a native craft, or listen to a lecture on history.
Even better, brush up on current events of the indigenous peoples in the local area to see what ways it is possible to learn more about their plight, make a donation or even act as an advocate to raise awareness in the community.
- Re-Learn United States History
With the recognition that history over the first 200 years of the United States was written from the perspective of the white person, perhaps National Indigenous Peoples’ Day would be a time, especially for white Americans, to consider a different perspective. Get beyond what was taught in school and get educated on how the story actually happened before the territory of what is now the United States was settled.
Read some books, watch some documentaries and do some research on websites to find out more. Consider some of these books for getting more educated:
- An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
- Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Book Got Wrong by James W. Loewen
- The People: A History of Native America by R. David Edmunds
- A True History of the United States: Indigenous Genocide, Radicalized Slavery, Hyper-Capitalism, Militarist Imperialism and Other Overlooked Aspects of American Exceptionalism by Daniel Sjursen
- Support an Indigenous People Artist or Community
Often revered for their creativity and attention to detail, many indigenous people tribes produce artwork and handicrafts that are valuable and beautiful. Consider making a trip to a place that supports the arts of native peoples and make a purchase of pottery, blankets, jewelry, painting or some other amazing piece of art to add to your collection.
- Visit an Indigenous Peoples’ Museum
Take the hands-on approach to learning more about the people who first inhabited the Americas by visiting a museum or exhibit dedicated to their culture and people. Try out one of these or visit one more local to the area:
Making everyone in the world more aware of the issues that are faced by people struggling with mental health is a great way to offer the beginning of a solution to the problem. The more people know, the more they can do to aid with the prevention or seek out help.
Find out more : #IndigenousPeoples’Day #NativeAmericanDaySouthDakota
History of World Mental Health Day
Monday, October 10th
World Mental Health Day was established in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health. In some countries around the world, it forms just one part of the larger Mental Illness Awareness Week.
Mental health problems, ranging from issues like depression and anxiety disorders to conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, affect millions of people around the world. In fact, according to certain statistics, 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem during their lifetime and many more will see friends or family members who are affected.
Yet, even though mental health is so prevalent, it is one of the most neglected forms of health in the world today. Almost one billion people are living with a mental health disorder right now and millions of people die each year from the impact that mental health has had on them. Even so, many people still do not have access to the care that they need to appropriately handle these concerns.
The purpose of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues, increase education on the topic and attempt to eliminate the stigma attached. It is hoped that this, in turn, will encourage sufferers to seek out help and support. The World Health Organization (WHO) has gotten on board with supporting World Mental Health Day and sees it as an opportunity to have a massive scale-up given to the investment made in the support of mental health. The WHO asserts that countries spend only 2% of their annual healthcare budgets on mental health, and that simply is not enough.
It’s time to push away the stigma, embrace the struggle, and invest in the opportunity for a more stable future when it comes to mental health. World Mental Health Day is a great day to begin!
History of Fire Prevention Week
October 9th - October 15th
Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire, a fire that devastated the city of Chicago by burning down over 1,000 buildings, leaving over 100,000 homeless and 300 killed in October of 1871. The story that everyone tells of the Great Chicago Fire is that “Mrs. O’ Reily’s cow kicked over the lantern” and that’s what started the fire. Although the fire was started in that area, historians aren’t sure that is how it began. However, what they do know is that the Great Chicago Fire kept spreading because the firefighters could not control the embers blowing in the wind. All of the buildings during that time were made of wood, the city was suffering a massive drought, and many of the firefighters were drained of resources due to previous fires the weeks before.
Thus, in 1922, the National Fire Protection Association, which began in 1896 as a response to these fires, sponsored Fire Prevention Week to prevent events like this from happening. President Calvin Coolidge then proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance in 1925, officially declaring it a national holiday. Today, because of the event, Chicago has strict guidelines on how buildings are built and how roads are expanded and given maintenance. Fire Prevention Week thus is taught and observed in schools all over the country, especially for younger children, so that way they can be able to handle what to do when a fire starts.
How to celebrate Fire Prevention Week
Want to learn how to prevent fires and protect your home. Head on over to the NFPA main website to watch educational videos and other resources about the history of this holiday, what you can do in your home to prevent fires and learn more about how to help others in your community. Share this holiday on your favorite social media platforms using the hashtag #firepreventionweek and let everyone know that this is a week all about learning and protecting people from the dangers of fires.
