It is called Indigenous Peoples' Day to honor and celebrate the Indigenous peoples of the Americas, recognize their histories, cultures, and contributions, and counter the narrative of Columbus Day. The day acknowledges the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities who were deeply harmed by European colonization initiated by Columbus's arrival in 1492. Indigenous Peoples' Day serves as a way to respect the original inhabitants of the land and reflect on the historical mistreatment they endured due to colonization. It is observed on the same day as Columbus Day as an alternative to highlight Indigenous perspectives and sovereignty.
The holiday originated from Indigenous activists' calls for recognition of Native people's rights and histories, first proposed in 1977 at a United Nations conference as a way to challenge the celebration of Columbus Day. Since then, numerous states and cities in the U.S. have adopted it, and President Joe Biden formally commemorated it with presidential proclamations from 2021 onward.
In essence, it is named Indigenous Peoples' Day to shift the focus from celebrating Columbus, a symbol of colonization and its negative impacts on Indigenous peoples, to honoring the original peoples of the land and affirming their enduring presence and cultures.