Dozens gathered in Beacon Hill on Saturday for a march in support of a Massachusetts state bill to replace Columbus Day, the second Monday of October, with an officially recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
The march, which was organized by the United American Indians of New England (UAINE), began in Boston Common, passing the State House on its way to Faneuil Hall. Speeches from local indigenous community leaders – including Mahtowin Munro, a co-leader of the UAINE, and Jean-Luc Pierite, board president of the North American Indian Center of Boston – were delivered at the event.
Although the purpose of the march was to advance the campaign to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day, speakers remarked the importance of honoring indigenous resilience in North America, too.
“The celebration part is really important,” Munro said, addressing the crowd during the event’s opening remarks. “We are still here. We have survived.”
The Scope’s Marta Hill attended the march, documenting the gathering in the photos below.
