Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Central Square is an annual community celebration organized by the Central Square Business Improvement District at University Park in Cambridge. The holiday honors the cultures, histories and contributions of Native American peoples, shifting focus away from Columbus Day to center Indigenous voices. The public event brings together performances, speakers and activities aimed at fostering understanding and respect for Indigenous cultures.

The first celebration took place in October 2024, brought together by Chali’naru Dones of the United Confederation of Taino People and Michael Monestime, president of the Central Square BID. That inaugural program featured live Indigenous music and dance, including Dones, a Taino advocate for Indigenous rights, and Justin Beatty, a multidisciplinary artist of the Ojibwe and Saponi tribes, along with poetry by Luna Del Flor, artwork by Brian Life and storytelling tied to local Indigenous history.

What to Know

• The celebration is family friendly, with activities for children.
• Local food vendors showcase the flavors of Indigenous culture.
• Event updates are shared through the Central Square BID’s social media accounts.