The second Monday of October is officially

Indigenous Peoples Day

Upcoming Events

When the Land Speaks: An Untold History of Massachusetts and the Importance of Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day

Date: September 29, 2021

Time: 7:00PM - 8:00PM

Location: Zoom

242022557_329739335559948_5401246711008406484_n

The Committee for Indigenous Peoples Day Wellesley (WOW) and the Wellesley Public Library are excited to announce Wellesley’s first event to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day this year! This virtual event will feature Larry Spotted Crow Mann of the Nipmuc tribe detailing the untold history of what is presently called Massachusetts and why Indigenous Peoples Day should be a national day of remembrance, education and celebration. Be sure to register in advance as spaces are limited!

Why we voted Yes on Q1

Our Volunteers

Key Messages

Indigenous people have been calling for Indigenous Peoples Day for decades. Formally recognized by the UN Geneva Conference Declaration of 1977, Indigenous Peoples Day is already celebrated in lieu of Columbus Day in 14 states, the District of Columbia, and more than 130 cities, including 14 communities in Massachusetts.
Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day begins to remedy the harmful effects of racist U.S. policies and distorted histories that normalize genocide, removal, erasure and negative stereotypes of Indigenous Peoples while glorifying colonization, westward expansion, and white supremacy.
We cannot celebrate both Indigenous Peoples Day and Columbus Day. Columbus brought a culture of domination, exploitation, violence, and greed that resulted in genocide, oppression, and destruction of Indigenous cultures and ecosystems. Celebrating Columbus is an affront to Indigenous people and to all people who abhor what he represents.
Changing to Indigenous Peoples Day is not anti-Italian; it is an antiracist stand against the genocidal legacy of Columbus. Many Italian Americans stand in solidarity with Indigenous people and support this change.
Indigenous Peoples Day acknowledges the ongoing presence of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island–this land we now call North America–as well as Indigenous communities around the world.
In this time of existential ecological crisis, Indigenous people provide much needed wisdom on how we can live sustainably in balanced relation with each other and the land. Indigenous Peoples Day celebrates and centers Indigenous voices, sciences, cultures, and ways of life.

Social Media

We are excited to announce our first event to cele

We are excited to announce our first event to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day this year! 🎉 Larry Spotted Crow Mann of the Nipmuc tribe will be detailing the untold history of what is presently called Massachusetts and why Indigenous Peoples Day should be a national day of remembrance, education and celebration. This online speaker event is co-sponsored with the @wellesleyfreelibrary. Mark your calendars for Sept 29 and register using the link in our bio! 🔗 You don't want to miss it!⁠
⁠
...⁠
⁠
ID: On a yellow background is a photo of Larry Spotted Crow Mann smiling amongst trees. Above the picture is text that reads "IPD Celebration Series". To the right is text that reads, "SPEAKER, Larry Spotted Crow Mann of the Nipmuc tribe". Below is the title of the seminar, "When the Land Speaks: Untold History of Massachusetts and the Importance of Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day" and the attendance information, "Wednesday, September 29, 2021, 7-8pm Eastern. ONLINE EVENT | Register at: https://wellesleyfreelibrary.libcal.com/event/8190712". At the bottom are the Committee for Indigenous Peoples Day Wellesley and Wellesley Free Library logos.

IPD Newton’s Map. IPD Newton created a map to hi

IPD Newton’s Map. IPD Newton created a map to highlight and honor Indigenous presence in MA and along the Boston marathon route. Check it out!

You may have heard that the Boston Marathon will b

You may have heard that the Boston Marathon will be held on Indigenous Peoples Day this year. Wellesley’s first official IPD! To honor and highlight Indigenous presence in MA and along the marathon route, our friends @indigenouspeoplesdaynewton created an incredible map! 🗺 The map shows Indigenous lands and nations, towns that have passed Indigenous Peoples Day (peep Wellesley!), significant sites along the marathon route, and videos of folks explaning what IPD means to them. Check it out!!!! 🔗 Link in bio! (And a video is available on IGTV)

P.S. Make sure to mark your calendars for @indigenouspeoplesdaynewton’s IPD celebration and fundraisers…they have some wonderful events planned👀🎉

#indigenouspeoplesday #ipdwellesley #ipdnewton

ID: screenshot of IPD Newton’s map. Indigenous lands and nations shown in orange. Boston marathon route shown as a red line. Towns that officially celebrate IPD are marked in yellow. 1 significant site along the route is marked as a blue pin. 3 video submissions from Newton marked with camera icons.

📣 UPDATE: Wellesley college has reversed their

📣 UPDATE: Wellesley college has reversed their decision and agreed to have a Native student deliver the land acknowledgement!!

—-
@mahtowin1: "SIGN PETITION Wellesley College will have a land acknowledgement for the first time at June 4 commencement. BUT they are refusing to allow graduating Wampanoag senior (Pres. of Native Students Assn) to read it, saying that two non-Native students should read it even though those students want a Native student instead. What's a land acknowledgement if it erases Native people??? Please sign this petition! (For some users, it might be easier to add your name while on a computer rather than on your phone)"⁠
⁠
🔗 Link to the petition is in our bio!⁠
⁠
[Image description: Over a grayish blue background is dark blue text that reads, SIGN THE PETITION urging Wellesley College to recognize the importance of a Native student offering the college's very first land acknowledgement at commencement. Link in bio!]

The Committee for Indigenous Peoples Day Wellesley

Plants 4 Plants auction is now LIVE! Head over to

Plants 4 Plants auction is now LIVE! Head over to @plants4plants_ipdw to bid between now and 5 pm April 10. All proceeds will go towards supporting the Oglala District Service Center’s efforts towards food sovereignty in their community.

[Image description: caption in white text on green background with images of potted plants and tall grass.]

BIG NEWS! 🎉 Wellesley’s Select Board has vote

BIG NEWS! 🎉 Wellesley’s Select Board has voted in favor of celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday of October! 🎉 This move to officially honor Indigenous Peoples Day in Wellesley has been a multi year process and we are happy to know that Wellesley will celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day this October.

The Committee for Indigenous Peoples Day would like to thank you again for your support. 🥰 We would also like to let you know that our work will continue and we will remain active as a subcommittee within the World of Wellesley. You can check out our virtual fundraiser coming up on April 9 to support the Oglala District Service Center’s efforts toward food sovereignty in their district of the Oglala Lakota Nation in South Dakota @plants4plants_ipdw 🪴

[Image description: on a black background is an outline of a white box with white text inside that reads “the second Monday of October is officially Indigenous Peoples Day in Wellesley, MA” there is a blueberry plant, dogwood flower, and other plants around the border]

#ipdwellesley #indigenouspeoplesday

🗣 Wellesley is inviting residents to share comm

🗣 Wellesley is inviting residents to share comments with the Select Board before their vote on IPD in Wellesley Monday, April 5 6:30 pm! Wellesley is very close to making this change official after years of organizing. Let’s make it happen!!

..
[Image description: slide 1, on a grayish green background is large white text that reads “April 5” below says “The Select Board will vote on Indigenous Peoples Day in Wellesley, Submit a comment.” Slide 2, screenshot of webpage wellesleyma.gov/civicalerts.aspxAID=1099. “News & Announcements. Posted on: March 30, 2021
Comment on Indigenous Peoples Day
The Select Board will discuss the Indigenous Peoples Day resolution at its regular meeting on Monday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. Residents are invited to share comments with the Board in advance of this discussion. To comment in advance of the meeting, please email sel@wellesleyma.gov to reach all five Board members. To comment during the meeting, residents may also email sel@wellesleyma.gov and indicate they would like to speak during the public comment portion of Monday night's meeting. You will receive a return email with a call-in number and your speaker order. On March 2, 2021, Wellesley voters approved a non-binding referendum asking the Select Board to proclaim the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day and cease to recognize Columbus Day in Wellesley, in order to recognize the position of Indigenous Peoples as native to our land and the suffering they faced during and after the European conquest.”]

News

These Truths – Why I’m Voting YES on Question 1

February 26, 2021

By G. Hurray There are two reasons I am voting Yes on Question 1 on March 2. First, I think it’s time to face the

An Italian American’s Perspective for YES on Question 1

February 26, 2021

By J. Debusk I am an Italian-American resident of Wellesley, and I am voting “yes” on Question 1. Being Italian is a source of great

Sustainable Wellesley says YES on Q 1 for Indigenous People

February 13, 2021

Sustainable Wellesley’s mission is to protect our climate; reduce pollution of air, land and water; preserve biodiversity; minimize waste; and ensure environmental justice. Environmental justice

Honoring Indigenous People’s Day in Wellesley is not a solution to the pain we have caused, but it is a start.

February 9, 2021

By Hannah Landau (WPS student) In Wellesley’s upcoming town election on March 2, 2021, we, as Wellesley citizens, will vote on Question 1, a non-binding

Take Action on March 2: Vote YES on Q 1 Indigenous Peoples Day

February 7, 2021

By Katy Hanson, M.D. I am a white, “well-educated,” retired professional woman who enjoys many privileges. I learned woefully little in my all-white public school

Amplifying Under-Represented Voices

February 7, 2021

By Carol Q. I was born and raised in Newton, Massachusetts, and like many young professionals living in the area, I came into the social

We as people who reside, work, and engage in Wellesley acknowledge this town is located on the traditional territory of the Massachusett and Nipmuc Tribes. Learn more about Native Land.

© All Rights Reserved 2020