The second Monday of October is officially

Indigenous Peoples Day

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

📣 UPDATE: Wellesley college has reversed their

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

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@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)"⁠
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🔗 Link to the petition is in our bio!⁠
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[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.

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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 🪴

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#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!!

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[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.”]

Q: What is food sovereignty? A: The Declaration o

Q: What is food sovereignty?
A: The Declaration of Nyéléni in Mali 2007 and La Via Campesina International Peasant’s Movement define food sovereignty as “the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems. It puts the aspirations and needs of those who produce, distribute, and consume food at the heart of food systems and policies rather than the demands of markets and corporations.” Food sovereignty is about equitable access to affordable, healthy, and culturally appropriate food. It is a global and local movement inextricably linked with human rights, Indigenous sovereignty, ecosystem protection, and climate resilience.
The upcoming Plants 4 Plants auction seeks to support the Oglala District Service Center’s efforts towards food sovereignty for their community by contributing seeds and gardening supplies to help people within their district of the Oglala Lakota Nation grow their own food.

Follow @plants4plants_ipdw to participate in the auction April 9-10!!

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You voted and now they need to listen and act—te

You voted and now they need to listen and act—tell Wellesley’s Select Board to follow the Annual Town Election results and vote to officially honor IPD in Wellesley! 🗣
We encourage you connect with the Select Board via email at sel@wellesleyma.gov and share your thoughts on why this is an important action for the town of Wellesley. Here are some details you can use:

At the Annual Town Meeting on June 23, 2020, Article 42 (to honor Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday of October and cease to celebrate Columbus Day) passed. The vote was 63.7% (130) in favor and 36.3% (74) opposed. An amendment was added to bring the article to a town-wide vote.

In the March 2, 2021 Annual Town Election, Question 1 (to honor Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday of October and cease to celebrate Columbus Day) passed. The vote was 53.25% (2,255) in favor and 46.75% (1,980) opposed—a margin of 6.5%. In terms of votes by precinct, 75% (6 out of 8) voted in favor.

We also encourage you to tune into the upcoming Select Board meetings. Select Board meetings are typically Mondays at 6:00 PM EST. The next meetings will be on March 29th and April 5th. All Select Board Meetings are live streamed by Wellesley Public Media and televised on Comcast channel 8 and Verizon channel 40.

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[Image description: On a gray background is white text that reads “Indigenous Peoples Day Wellesley Next Steps”. Below is a black icon of an email in an envelope with the label “send an email” next to a plus sign and an icon of broadcasting waves with a label “tune into a meeting”.
In white text at the bottom it says, “Tell the Select Board to follow the results of the Annual Town Election and officially proclaim the second Monday of October IPD in Wellesley”]

The Committee for Indigenous Peoples Day Wellesley

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 People.

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