What is Indigenous Peoples' Day? Here's how Arizona celebrates it

Indigenous Peoples' Day, celebrated on the second Monday of October, commemorates Native American history and culture, and is seen as a counter-celebration to Columbus Day.

Arizona, with its 22 Indigenous tribes, is among the states to honor and celebrate the history of Native Americans across the U.S.

How did it start and how is it celebrated in Arizona? Here's what to know.

What is Indigenous Peoples' Day?

Indigenous Peoples' Day aims to honor Indigenous tribes throughout the country while remembering the violent cultural assimilation that defined their futures in the United States, which in part originated from Columbus' arrival to the Americas.

The day offers an opportunity for many to take that pain and work toward a future that respects, honors and welcomes Indigenous people.

The holiday was conceived of as a replacement for Columbus Day in 1977 by the International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas. In 1993, Berkeley, California, became the first city to recognize the holiday, and in the following decades, other localities followed suit.

President Joe Biden nationally commemorated the holiday with a proclamation in 2021.

On Friday, Biden reaffirmed his administration's commitment to honoring Indigenous people, citing the unimaginable hardships endured by the country's former policies.

"In spite of unimaginable loss and seemingly insurmountable odds, Indigenous peoples have persisted. They survived. And they continue to be an integral part of the fabric of the United States," Biden said in a written statement.

Is Columbus Day still celebrated?

Columbus Day is still a federal holiday, but cities like Phoenix have distanced themselves from it and have put their energy into public celebrations of Indigenous people.

Throughout the nation, states are divided on how to best celebrate the second Monday of October, with only 10 states and Washington D.C. to make a proclamation that officially celebrates Indigenous People's Day.

Is Indigenous Peoples' Day a federal holiday?

Indigenous Peoples' Day is not currently a federal holiday in the United States, but some cities like Phoenix have made major steps to convey a message.

On April 19 of this year, the Phoenix City Council voted to recognize Indigenous People’s Day and make the second Monday of October a paid city holiday.

Trash and recycling schedules, parking meters and the Sky Harbor International Airport will all operate on their standard program.

How is Indigenous Peoples' Day celebrated in Phoenix?

On Monday, Cahokia PHX will host the second annual Indigenous People's Day PHX Festival, a free event recognizing and celebrating Indigenous tribes.

This year's event, under the theme of "Indigenize the Valley," will include live music, skate demos and competitions, native foods, markets, art galleries and exhibits, Indigenous film screenings and other family-friendly activities.

Cahokia PHX believes their vendors can help educate, inform and spread awareness of Indigenous populations and their historic impact to the wider Phoenix area through an immersive and cultural experience, which aids in promoting a deeper understanding and respect for Indigenous heritage.

Monday's festivities begin at 10 a.m. and run until 8 p.m at Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix.

There are also plenty of local shops and restaurants that metro Phoenix residents can shop at to honor the day.

Republic reporters Coleby Phillips and Eshaan Sarup contributed to this article.