Local museum shares history of Native Americans on Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Carter Ostermiller
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Every second Monday in October, people across the United States celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Some have mixed views on the holiday. Recently, President Donald Trump signed his own proclamation to “reclaim” Columbus Day, even though in 2021, former President Joe Biden became the first U.S. president to issue a presidential proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is used to celebrate and recognize the history and culture of Indigenous Peoples in America.
News-Press NOW visited the St. Joseph Museums, located at 3406 Frederick Ave., to learn more about the history behind the day.
Tori Zieger, archaeologist and the NAGPRA coordinator, shared some rich history of Native Americans in and outside of St. Joseph.
“All of this material was excavated either in 1966 or 1972 on King Hill here in St. Joseph,” Zieger said. “These artifacts represent the people who were living here around the year 1700. They are part of a cultural phase called the Oneota.”
The excavated artifacts from King Hill show things, like the mano and metate, the Oneota used for grinding corn and grains.
The archaeology exhibit also shared how stages of the excavation worked and skeletal remains animals the indigenous would hunt, such as mammoth and mastodon.
The Native American Galleries at the museum contains historical information from around the U.S. as well, such as southwestern Navajo jewelry made out of turquoise and baskets that show off the artistic and cultural differences between tribes.
Zieger stressed the importance of this holiday and urged people to learn more about Indigenous culture by experiencing the exhibit for themselves.
“I think it is important to really think about why there is controversy and what harm it is, and to celebrate people that are different and beautiful and developed. And were here before us,” Zieger said.