Indigenous Peoples’ Day Shifts Focus From Columbus to Belize’s Maya Legacy

For many years, October 12 was associated with Christopher Columbus and the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. Today, however, a growing number of countries are choosing to commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, highlighting the communities and civilizations that existed long before European contact. In Belize, the observance provides an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of the Maya civilization and the significant contributions of Indigenous peoples to the country’s history, culture and identity. From advanced systems of agriculture and astronomy to impressive Maya architectural legacy that continues to shape Belize today. As Belize gets to enjoy a long holiday weekend, historian Assad Shoman spoke on the meaning of this holiday.  He says it’s all about having a fuller understanding of our national story.

It was on November 17, 2021, when the government renamed the October 12 holiday to Indigenous Peoples’ Resistance Day. It had previously been known as Columbus Day and later Pan American Day. The first observance under the new name was October 10, 2022./