Indigenous Peoples’ Day was celebrated on Oct. 10 in recognition of a signed proclamation by President Joe Biden. While this is the second official year of Indigenous People’s Day recognized by the federal government, it’s the fourth year it has been a statewide holiday in New Mexico.
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center held a celebration attended by guests from across the nation. The event included music, singing, and traditional regalia, according to a KOB report.
“I am wearing a ribbon dress that my mom made for me, and our traditional Pueblo belt and then my white moccasins with leather wraps that we wear traditionally,” Sherrie Catnach, one of the attendees, told KOB.
Indigenous people in broad terms are those who practice unique traditions and retain “social, cultural, economic, and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live.”
Alex Taylor was among those who were interested in the history of Indigenous people.
“When you think about everything that all of the different Indigenous peoples have experienced over the history of this country, to be in this place to see culture and language and dance and music celebrated it’s beautiful,” Taylor said.
New Mexico is a hotbed for different cultures. “New Mexico is just one of the states in the United States that have so many different cultures that are native,” Avila said. “So like I said, can’t believe it took me this long to come out here last year and now back again.”