10/13/2025
Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day! Today is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples across the United States and beyond.
To help mark the day, here are a few fun and inspiring facts you may not know:
Many words we use every day come from Indigenous languages. Did you know “chipmunk,” “moose,” “pecan,” and “skunk” are all derived from Native languages like Algonquian?
Indigenous agriculture feeds the world. Foods like corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and chocolate—all staples in global cuisines—were first cultivated by Indigenous peoples.
The U.S. Constitution was influenced by Indigenous governance. The Iroquois Confederacy, one of the world’s oldest participatory democracies, inspired aspects of American federalism.
There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States, each with its own unique government, culture, and traditions.
Today, we encourage you to reflect, learn, and celebrate—whether by reading a book by an Indigenous author, exploring the art and music of Native cultures, or simply taking a moment to acknowledge the original stewards of this land.
Let’s use today as a reminder to appreciate the depth and resilience of Indigenous communities—not just today, but throughout the year.
