For David and Saskia Vanderhoop who run Sassafras Earth Education in Aquinnah, changing the name of Columbus Day (what they now call “C” day) to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, has been front and center for years.
“The movement started nationally in 1970,” Ms. Vanderhoop said. “Since then many states have adopted it. But on the Island we have been getting some pushback. We reached out to the Island schools but only the charter school was open to changing the name.”
To help bring awareness and education around the issue, the Vanderhoops are holding an Indigenous Peoples’ Day event on Monday, Oct. 11 at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, in partnership with the Aquinnah Cultural Center.
“We reached out to a few locations and Felix Neck said yes right away,” Ms. Vanderhoop said.
The event is from 2 to 4 p.m. on Monday and will begin with a Wampanoag land acknowledgment by David Vanderhoop, followed by eight speakers.
“There will be three Wampanoag tribes represented — Chappaquiddick, Aquinnah and Mashpee,” Ms. Vanderhoop said. “And the eight speakers represent many different voices — young people, elders, men, women — each speaking about why this issue matters.”
The event is free and for all ages. In addition to the speakers there will be drumming and storytelling for kids.
“We want to create more visibility and less of a stigma around Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” Ms. Vanderhoop said.
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary is located at 100 Felix Neck Drive, Edgartown.
Visit sassafrasmvy.org/adults-families-programs.
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