Today in Pembroke and across North Carolina, people came together to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day that honors Native heritage, culture, and community.

At the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, tables were set up to show off different native crafts and arts, and the voices of different native singers filled the air. For many, it was a moment of pride and reflection, a chance to reconnect with one another, and share their culture with others.

Francine Cummings, the program coordinator for today’s event, said “The Indigenous Peoples Day event is an opportunity for indigenous people themselves to come together and celebrate their indigeneity and for those who are not indigenous to come learn about the culture, take part, educate and advocating., Being able to come together and just be indigenous together and learn about different cultures, different tribes, different people across the US and all the american who are indigenous.”

Although nationally the day’s recognition has shifted back to Columbus Day, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein issued a proclamation reaffirming Indigenous Peoples’ Day in the state , a meaningful gesture for all the indigenous communities across North Carolina, where Native identity has always been at the heart of who they are.

Sharon Blue said, “ I think people misunderstand Indigenous People’s Day is because they don’t even know who we are. We are the people that were here much before others thought we were here and it is a time we celebrate our people, our Legacy, our traditions, our heritage because it is a mixture of a multitude of things, but it all brings us all together as a family.”

For many who attended, today wasn’t just another date on the calendar. It was a reminder of unity, resilience, and pride , a celebration of what it means to still be here, and to keep those stories alive for the next generation.