Oct 14, 2024 - Politics & Policy

In photos: Celebrating Indigenous culture

Steph Solis,
Russell Contreras

Redrum Motorcycle Club members are seen as indigenous communities around the world come together on Randall's Island for 10th annual Indigenous Peoples' Day celebration organized by the Indigenous Peoples' Day Committee (IPDNYC) in New York, United States on October 13, 2024. — Redrum Motorcycle Club members are seen as indigenous communities around the world come together on Randall's Island for 10th annual Indigenous Peoples' Day celebration organized by the Indigenous Peoples' Day Committee in New York on Oct. 13. Photo: Selcuk Acar /Anadolu via Getty Images

More cities are recognizing and celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of Columbus Day in the U.S. amid a complicated history of racial tension and lack of acknowledgment.

The big picture: The number of people identifying as Native American or Alaska Native today is the largest in modern history after decades of decline.

Through the lens: To mark the day, here are some images of Indigenous people celebrating joy through the years.

A young woman of the Kickapoo tribe, puts on her make up in front of the mirror before competing in dances at in the 48th annual Denver March Pow Wow in March 2024. — Skye Little Cloud of the Kickapoo tribe puts on her makeup before competing in dances at the 48th annual Denver March Pow Wow earlier this year. Photo: Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

A model presents a creation by Native American fashion designer Jamie Okuma during the PST ART x The Autry: Fashioning Indigenous Futurism runway show at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. — A model wears a creation by Native American fashion designer Jamie Okuma during the "PST ART x The Autry: Fashioning Indigenous Futurism" runway show in Los Angeles last month. Photo: Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images

A member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa celebrates with others from various tribes during Indigenous Peoples' Day events in Seattle 2014, the year Seattle started recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day. — Nikk "Red Weezil" Dakota from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa celebrated with others from various tribes in 2014, on the day Seattle starts recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day. Photo: David Ryder/Getty Images

Dancers from Anahuacalmecac International University Preparatory of North America school for indigenous students pray before dancing on Hollywood Boulevard near the El Capitan Theatre and Jimmy Kimmel Live Studio during an event celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day on October 8, 2017 in Hollywood. — Dancers from Anahuacalmecac International University Preparatory of North America School for Indigenous students pray before dancing near the El Capitan Theatre and Jimmy Kimmel Live Studio during an event celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day on Oct. 8, 2017, in Los Angeles. Photo: David McNew/Getty Image

Andrew Morales offers burning incense while walking among the crowd gathered to celebrate the first Indigenous People's Day, in place of previously celebrated Columbus Day, on October 8, 2018 in Los Angeles — Andrew Morales offers burning incense while walking among the crowd gathered to celebrate the first Indigenous People's Day, in place of previously celebrated Columbus Day, on Oct. 8, 2018, in Los Angeles. Photo: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

A Native American tribe performs during the game between the Seattle Storm and the Los Angeles Sparks on May 4, 2024 at Rodgers Place in Edmonton, Canada. — A Native American tribe performs during the game between the Seattle Storm and the Los Angeles Sparks on May 4, 2024, at Rodgers Place in Edmonton, Canada. Photo: Sergei Belski/NBAE via Getty Images

umbleweeds pushed by the winds during the drought gather under wooden bleachers as Trai Bass, 12, hits a baseball he tossed into the air while he plays alone at the baseball field on Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Reservation on April 4, 2022 in White Mesa, Utah. — Tumbleweeds pushed by the winds during the drought gather under wooden bleachers as Trai Bass, 12, hits a baseball he tossed into the air while he plays alone at the baseball field on Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Reservation on April 4, 2022, in White Mesa, Utah. Photo: RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Go deeper: What to know about Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day

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In photos: Celebrating Indigenous culture

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