When people think of Indigenous culture, they often imagine people from the past, but that is far from the truth. Indigenous people are living, creating, and contributing to every part of society today. We are scientists, artists, teachers, environmentalists, and leaders working to shape the future. From the Indigenous architects who design sustainable buildings to the Native entrepreneurs revitalizing traditional food systems, Indigenous people continue to make an impact in modern life while staying grounded in our ancestral values.
UW–Whitewater sits on Ho-Chunk land, and acknowledging that is one small step toward recognizing the long history of Indigenous presence that continues here. As the president of the Native American Cultural Awareness Association and an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation, this time of year always reminds me of how deeply Indigenous values and history shape our world.
However, it is difficult to celebrate when the same day that honors Indigenous Peoples is still tied to Columbus Day, a holiday that should not exist. Columbus did not discover America. He enslaved, brutalized, and murdered Indigenous people, describing them as “savages” who needed to be “civilized.” His arrival marked the beginning of genocide, forced conversion, and the loss of entire nations. Celebrating him is a direct insult to the Indigenous people who survived and those who continue to fight to protect our culture today.
To help students, staff, and community members on campus learn and engage in meaningful advocacy, NACAA is hosting a “How to Be an Advocate Workshop” on Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October 13, 2025). Our guest speaker, Melanie Tallmadge Sainz, a Ho-Chunk artist, educator, and advocate, will lead a discussion focused on allyship, awareness, and understanding.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is about truth, resilience, and survival. It honors those who came before us and those who are still here, keeping our languages, traditions, and communities alive. Our stories did not end in the past. They are still being written today.