Indigenous Peoples' Day: Not Your Mascot: The Impact of (Mis)Representation

Indigenous Peoples' Day Programming Locations

The Spulock Museum of World Cultures (600 S. Gregory Street, Urbana) will serve as the venue for programs happening between 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

The Native American House (1206 W. Nevada St, Urbana) will serve as the site of the outdoor program starting at 4:00 p.m.

Illinois Street Dining Center (ISR) (1010 W. Illinois St., Urbana) will serve as the location for the Native-themed meal that begins at 4:30 p.m.

Additional information about the activities and sessions taking place at each location is provided in the "Schedule of Events" section below.

What is Indigenous Peoples’ Day?

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October 2021. In 2021, President Joe Biden formally commemorated Indigenous Peoples’ Day with a presidential proclamation, becoming the first U.S. president to do so. This day is meant to encourage reflection, recognition, and celebration of the ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples. Additionally, it is a day to gain some understanding of the diversity of Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous Peoples' Day Tree at Illinois

In 2018, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign planted a sugar maple tree on the South Quad to commemorate Indigenous Peoples' Day. A plaque placed next to the tree is inscribed with the following statement:

This tree is to remind us of the indigenous peoples, past and present, for whom Illinois was a home prior to the university’s founding in 1867 and remains so to this day. These lands ground indigenous communities and root their understanding of themselves. The dedication of this tree acknowledges the indigenous historical context in which we exist.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Tree graphic was created by Yanaba Schroeder (Navajo, Undergraduate Student, Major: Human Development and Family Studies, College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences) and David Eby (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma/Muscogee Creek, Doctoral Student, School of Information Sciences). The graphic contains the geographic coordinates of the tree.

Indigenous Peoples' Day 2026 Theme

Not Your Mascot: The Impact of (Mis)Representation

This year's Indigenous Peoples' Day theme explores the ongoing struggle for Indigenous peoples to be seen, heard, and represented on their own terms. Native American mascots, logos, and stereotypical imagery are not isolated symbols. Instead, they are manifestations of a broader colonial legacy that has long reduced Indigenous peoples to caricatures while obscuring Native sovereignty, humanity, diversity, and the contemporary existence of Tribal Nations (IllumiNative, 2023; National Congress of American Indians [NCAI], 2020).

For decades, Tribal Nations, Native organizations, scholars, students, and community leaders have advocated for the retirement of Native mascots and imagery that perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Yet these representations continue to be defended as symbols of tradition, pride, or honor, often dismissing Indigenous voices and minimizing the documented harms such imagery causes. Research has demonstrated that Native mascots negatively influence the psychological well-being and identity development of Native youth while reinforcing racial stereotypes among Native and non-Native audiences (Fryberg et al., 2008). Native-led advocacy organizations, including the National Indian Health Board (2024), have further identified Native mascots as both a public health and social justice issue because of their harmful effects on Native identity, belonging, and community well-being.

This event is open to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, or national origin. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request, please contact nah@illinois.edu. 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Illinois is supported by:

• American Indian Studies
• Center for Civic Education & Justice
• Center for Indigenous Science
• Office of the Vice Chancellor for Access, Civil Rights & Community