Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a time to pause, reflect, and honor the resilience and contributions of Indigenous peoples and the rich tapestry of Indigenous cultures and histories.

It’s a day for learning, reflection, and action—a day to weave the threads of knowledge, empathy, and understanding. This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, let’s embark on a journey of discovery and growth with children and commit to working towards a more just and equitable future for all.

Resources to Help Guide Your Journey

• Healing from History: Perspectives from Indigenous Child Care
  by Lisa Walker and Kim Nall (Read for free on the Content Hub)
• Native Knowledge 360°
  from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
• Reimagining an Ethic of Care through the Lens of African and Indigenous Traditions
  by Rukia Monique Rogers (Become a member for free to watch this video on the Content Hub)
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day Resources
  from the National Indiana Education Association and IllumiNative
• Our Mother Tongues Come First: Dual Language Learning from the Indigenous People’s Perspective
  by Lisa Walker, Tere Gilbert, Barb Carlson, Carolyn Codopony and Jennie Roberts
  
• A Lists of 15 Books by Indigenous Authors for the Classroom
  by We Are Teachers
• Unpacking “Child-Centered”: Reimagining Early Childhood Through African and Indigenous Lenses
  by Rukia Monique Rogers (Become a member for free to read this article on the Content Hub)
• Zinn Education Project
  Indigenous Peoples’ Day Resources
• Significance and Benefits of Indigenous Early Intervention and Inclusion
  by Suzanne Sterling (Become a member for free to read this article on the Content Hub)

Tips for Teaching Young Children about Indigenous People’s Day

• Be accurate and respectful. When teaching young children about Indigenous peoples, it is important to be accurate and respectful of the cultures and histories. Avoid using stereotypes or generalizations.
• Be inclusive. When teaching about Indigenous peoples, be sure to include a variety of perspectives and experiences. There is no single “Indigenous experience.”
• Be positive. Focus on the resilience and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Celebrate the cultures and traditions.
• Incorporate Indigenous perspectives and experiences into your curriculum. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as reading books by Indigenous authors, listening to Indigenous music, or learning about Indigenous art.
• Highlight the contributions of Indigenous peoples to all areas of society. Indigenous people have made significant contributions to science, technology, literature, the arts, and more. Make sure to recognize these contributions in your classroom.
• Create a classroom environment that is welcoming and inclusive of Indigenous children and their families. This includes using respectful language and imagery, and providing opportunities for Indigenous children to share their cultures and traditions.

Educating young children about Indigenous cultures is an important aspect of Indigenous People’s Day. It is an opportunity for learning and conversations that can extend throughout the year. By using the resources and tips above, early childhood educators can help to create a world that values respect, equity, and justice for all.