The second annual Indigenous Peoples Day celebration will take place Sunday at Grand Park in Los Angeles, and will emphasize a recognition of Native Americans.
Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell collaborated with the city and county's Native American Indian Commission to focus on the theme of"past, present and future" of Native American culture and to call for action from state and federal lawmakers to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.
"Indigenous Peoples Day is a time to celebrate all native cultures, but everyone is invited," O'Farrell said, adding that the event "will help elevate the importance of honoring the contributions and sacrifices made by our ancestors while putting the charade of Columbus Day and the false narrative that he personifies in the past where it belongs."
Chrissie Castro, the chair of the Los Angeles City-County Native American Indian Commission, said the adoption of Indigenous Peoples Day in place of Columbus Day is important for native tribes.
"Our community has fought hard for this annual celebration and for this platform to uplift the issues, talent and contributions of Native Americans in Los Angeles," Castro said.
Featured performing artists include Xiuhtezcatl, Canadian electronic music group A Tribe Called Red, Taboo, "The Voice" finalist and pop singer Brooke Simpson, MTV Video Music Award-winner PJ Vegas, and acclaimed Native American rock group REDBONE.
Other musical performances include artists B. Bennet, Kelly Caballero, Doc and Spencer Battiest, Antoine Edwards Jr., Jessa Calderon, Poodeezy, DJ Tippie, and MATO WayUhi.
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There will also be a special performance by Indigenous Enterprise and a fashion show by Obsidian Collective.
O'Farrell's office said the celebration is slated to be one of the largest Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations in the country, with a Facebook event page that has received thousands of responses from people planning to attend. The event will run from 4 p.m to 9 p.m.
O'Farrell is a member of the Wyandotte Nation, and after numerous hearings with members of both the Native American and Italian American communities, the City Council voted in 2017 to establish Indigenous Peoples Day as the second Monday in October.
