Indigenous Peoples' Day

Indigenous Peoples' Day, on Monday 11th October, is a holiday that celebrates and honors Native American people, and commemorates their histories and cultures.

The day was first recognized in Berkeley, California, in 1992, to coincide with the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492, and is now celebrated across the United States on the second Monday in October, as a counter-celebration of Columbus Day, which honors Italian explorer Christopher Columbus. 

Many people have, in recent times, rejected celebrating Columbus, citing him as representing "the violent history of the colonization in the Western Hemisphere" and covering-up Christopher Columbus' actions such as enslaving Native Americans. 

Old time radio shows celebrated America's old west, with tales of heroes and gunfighters, bandits and marshals (or rangers), lawmen, scouts, the captivating, exotic beauty of the native women and much more.

So many of the shows offered only stereotypical portrayals of Native Americans, and actual acting roles were limited.

However, there are many stories and legends which have been immortalized in old time radio, such as the pursuit and capture of Geronimo, the Apache wars, the tragic massacre at Wounded Knee, Pocahontas (whose story has been romanticized over the years), the Battle of Little Big Horn, and one of the most famous novels of all time, The Last of the Mohicans.

There are even whole series which are based around the American old west, such as Leatherstocking Tales, Gunsmoke, Red Ryder, Frontier Town, and of course, The Lone Ranger who, together with his loyal Potawatomi companion Tonto, fight for justice, law and order.

Joy and I have been putting a collection of shows together on the following page, but if there's any that you think I've missed, please do let me know by posting a comment below, so that I can add them.

Indigenous Peoples' Day

Columbus Day Shows

Our history is so important, and although people's opinions will always be fiercely divided, we should never forget.

This official holiday has been adopted by an increasing number of cities and states since 2014. Whether your state has officially adopted Indigenous Peoples' Day, or you celebrate Columbus Day, Joy and I hope that you will enjoy the long weekend, listening to your favorite old time radio shows.

Happy listening my friends,

P.S. It's also Canada's Thanksgiving Day today! You can also find a list of shows relating to all things Canadian by clicking here.