Ashland Community Celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Ashland, Ore. — The community is invited to Ashland’s inaugural Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration, Oct. 8 and Oct. 9.

The two days of events are the result of a collaboration among Red Earth Descendants, Southern Oregon University, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, SOU Native American Studies and SOU Campus Theme.

During the 2016/17 academic year, a White Mountain Apache student created a petition to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day in lieu of Columbus Day at SOU.

The SOU community overwhelmingly decided to formally recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day in June 2017, and to support various programs coordinated by Native American community members.

On August 1, 2017, inspired by the stance of the University, the Ashland City Council unanimously voted to approve a resolution to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

The City of Ashland, Southern Oregon University and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival are built on the lands of the Takelma and Shasta peoples, located near the Klamath Basin region that is the home and ancestral territory to many tribes and bands, and established in a state that recognizes nine sovereign tribes.

Following the lead of SOU students, the City of Ashland has an opportunity to learn, listen, and remember. It will use this day to tell the whole story about Columbus’ legacy and celebrate the historic, cultural and contemporary presence of indigenous people and their contributions to the world.