Indigenous People's Day Worksheets

Answer Keys Here

This is a celebration that honors the history and culture of the Native American people in the United States. It is recognized on the second Monday of every October. During that time, the day is meant to recognize and bring awareness to the impact of colonialism on the Native American culture and communities. There are six-hundred recognized Native nation in the United States that account for seven million citizens. Native Americans account for just over two percent of the US population. These worksheets will help students explore the Native American culture and help to learn the struggles of this resilient group of nations.

Indigenous People's Day Worksheets to Print:

Reading Worksheet - Learn what the day honors and how it all began.

True or False - What have you learned so far. We will find out here.

Alphabetic Order - Put the theme related words in alphabetical order.

Discussion - this is an organizer to help students remember key points.

Crossword Puzzle - There are a dozen theme related words for you to find.

Scramble Sheet - Unscramble the words. Then use the words in a paragraph that tells what Indigenous People's Day is about.

Make Words - How many words can you make out of all the letters in this title?

Native American Culture - What do you know about Native American culture? What do you like the best about what you know?

Poem - Compose a basic poem that is inspired by this celebration.

Give Me 5! - You will write five sentences and draw a picture.

Columbus Day? - Do you think that Indigenous People's Day should continue to be celebrated alongside Columbus Day, or do you think it should replace Columbus Day entirely? Explain your answer.

Importance - Why is this an important event?

Your Thoughts - Write and draw a response to the text and picture.

Write and Draw - This is a writing exercise that is teacher led.

Outlines - Work on your penmanship.

What Is Indigenous People's Day?

For a long time, Native Hawaiians, Alaskan Natives, and Native Americans have built up diverse and vibrant cultures in America. On Indigenous People's Day, the country pays its respects to the past, present, and future of all native people. This holiday aims to recognize the impact and legacy colonialism has had on these native communities, and it also celebrates their resilience.


It's celebrated on the second Monday of the month of October every year. Let's learn more about Indigenous People's Day


How America Celebrates this Day


Over years, states like New Mexico and Alaska have adopted the holiday with open arms. They have chosen to forego the celebrations of Columbus Day and call upon other states in America to not celebrate it.


Christopher Columbus was an Italian navigator. As Native American history records, he was responsible for bringing colonization and genocide to the communities that had been living in America for time unknown. The horrors that followed the colonization of the Americas at the hands of Columbus are why many choose to celebrate Indigenous People's Day instead.


However, not every state in America has fully accepted Indigenous People's Day. Some members of this community state that simply having a day dedicated to native communities is not enough to make up for the years of mistreatment. Their opinion may have some weight since the holiday isn't a federal holiday (even though there is a pending bill in Congress that aims to make it into one).


A Trip Down Memory Lane


Indigenous People's Day started gaining popularity as a replacement for Columbus Day. Columbus Day is supposed to celebrate an explorer who sailed from Spain with his crew in 1492. He had three ships, namely Santa Maria, Nina, and Pinta. Before the president made the proclamation, dozens of states and cities in America commemorated the day even before it was an official holiday.


Now, an increasing number of corporations and colleges choose to celebrate Native communities that suffered colonization instead of Columbus. According to several sources, South Dakota was the first state to recognize it and call it Native Americans Day. In 1990, several members of the Sioux Nation tribe made up 10% of the population of South Dakota. Now, the states of Vermont, Alaska, and Oregon have officially recognized the day as a holiday as well.


Some cities like Minneapolis, Berkeley, Seattle, and California were early adopters as well. Similar holidays that commemorate native American communities exist all around the world as well. Canada recognized a National Indigenous People's day back on June 21, 1996.


But What About Columbus Day?


Several people in America have been taught an inaccurate account of history. For the most part, the North American narrative praises Christopher Columbus and the journeys he made to the continent. In these journeys and tales of heroism, the violence of his actions are erased. It also fails to teach how Christopher Columbus didn't actually “discover” the American islands.


Millions of indigenous people already lived on these lands. Those who didn't agree with his word, fell victim to the atrocities. In fact, Columbus never even stepped on the Northern American Island. He enslaved and killed the people on the Caribbean Island and because of him, several colonizers that followed preferred walking the same pathway.


This is also why people celebrate Indigenous People's Day, aiming to increase awareness of the truth and reject any other claim made about the roots of America.