The holiday \u2013 which falls on the second Monday of October \u2013 has been recognized by Gov. Gavin Newsom in recent years through proclamations he signs. In 2021<\/a>, President Joe Biden issued the first federal proclamation commemorating Indigenous Peoples Day.\u00a0<\/p>\n Many cities have increasingly opted to do away with celebrations of Columbus Day historically held on the same day in favor of retelling a more complete story<\/a> of the arrival of Europeans in the Americas.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s such an important day of recognition in order to reflect and really celebrate our heritage and traditions,\u201d said Nathan Banda, Tribal Chairman of the Juane\u00f1o Band of Mission Indians<\/a>, Acjachemen Nation. \u201cIt honors the ongoing contributions of our people here and across the Americas.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have played a key role in the birth of this country, so it gives us the opportunity to correct some of the cultural narratives that have been out there, and educate and celebrate our culture that has been passed down through generations.\u201d<\/p>\n Banda says that he meets many in Orange County that don\u2019t know about tribes indigenous to the area.<\/p>\n Here are a few noteworthy free celebrations happening today and this weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n Anaheim<\/p>\n Celebrate the indigenous tribes of Orange County and Southern California during a celebration<\/a> in Anaheim.<\/p>\n People can start the day with a prayer walk at the Anaheim Coves Lincoln Trailhead<\/a>, then head to city hall at 11:00 a.m. for a land acknowledgement proclamation program. The event finishes at the Downtown Community center for a potluck and closing prayer from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.<\/p>\n When: October 13, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.<\/p>\n Where: Locations of programming vary throughout the day. The Anaheim Coves Lincoln Trailhead<\/a> is located at 2916 E Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806. Anaheim City Hall<\/a> is located at 200 S Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805. The Anaheim Downtown Community Center<\/a> is located at 250 E. Center St., Anaheim, CA 92805.<\/p>\n Cost: Free<\/p>\n For more information, contact Dr. Patricia Adelekan at (714) 628-9844 or Adam Loya (562) 330-6869<\/p>\n Fullerton<\/p>\n Visit the Cadena Cultural Center at Fullerton College for a celebration<\/a> of indigenous culture, including dances and community dialogue.<\/p>\n The cultural center<\/a> is located on the second floor of the Student Support Center in room 201.<\/p>\n When: October 13, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.<\/p>\n Where: 321 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832<\/p>\n Cost: Free<\/p>\n For more details, contact the cultural center at (714) 992-7105 or cadena@fullcoll.edu\u00a0<\/p>\n Upcoming Indigenous People\u2019s Day Events<\/p>\n San Juan Capistrano<\/p>\n Honor indigenous ancestry and the 250th anniversary of Mission San Juan Capistrano at the Acjachemen Nation Powwow<\/a> at Putuidem Village<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Putuidem was the \u201cmother\u201d village for the Juane\u00f1o Band of Mission Indians and Acjachemen Nation, thriving for years until the arrival of Mission San Juan Capistrano in the late 1770s.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n When: October 18, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.<\/p>\n Where: Northwest Open Space, 30281 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675<\/p>\n Cost: Free<\/p>\n For more details, contact the SJC 250 celebration at info@sjc250.org<\/a><\/p>\n [Read: Putuidem Village Unearths OC Indigenous History<\/a>]<\/p>\n Orange<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_9324-2.jpg\")
Nathan Banda at Putuidem Village on Aug. 17, 2023. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_2996.jpg\")
Participants during the first Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day celebration in Anaheim which took place in 2020. Credit: Photo courtesy of Anaheim Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee<\/p>\n