Native American Day
September 25
About Native American Day
Native American Day is a state holiday in the United States that honours the history, cultures, and contributions of the Indigenous peoples of North America. In California and Nevada it falls on the fourth Friday of September, which in 2026 is Friday, 25 September. The day recognises the resilience and living traditions of hundreds of tribal nations and the central place they hold in the story of the land now known as the United States.
The Story Behind Native American Day
The roots of Native American Day reach back to the early decades of the twentieth century, when Indigenous leaders and their allies began campaigning for formal recognition of Native peoples within American public life. California played a pioneering role. In 1939, Governor Culbert Olson declared 1 October to be “Indian Day”, making California the first state in the country to set aside an official day to honour Native Americans. It was a modest beginning, but it established a precedent that later generations would build upon.
The observance took its modern shape in 1968, when Governor Ronald Reagan signed a resolution calling for an American Indian Day to be held on the fourth Friday of September. This change was achieved in partnership with California tribal leaders, who pressed for a day that reflected the dignity and contemporary presence of Native communities rather than treating them as relics of the past. For three decades the day was observed informally before gaining its full legal standing.
That standing arrived in 1998, when the California Assembly passed Assembly Bill 1953, making Native American Day an official state holiday observed annually on the fourth Friday of September. The legislation also formally changed the name from “American Indian Day” to “Native American Day”, reflecting evolving language and the preferences of many Indigenous people. The day’s significance continued to grow in the years that followed: in 2021 California amended its Code of Civil Procedure, effective from January 2022, to make Native American Day a judicial holiday, so that courts across the state pause to mark the occasion.
Other states have adopted the observance in their own way. Nevada followed California’s lead in 1997, choosing the same fourth Friday of September. South Dakota took a different path: in 1990, Governor George S. Mickelson worked to replace Columbus Day with Native American Day, observed there on the second Monday of October. South Dakota thus became one of the first states in the nation to formally substitute a celebration of Indigenous peoples for the traditional Columbus Day holiday.
When and Where is Native American Day Celebrated?
In California and Nevada, Native American Day falls on the fourth Friday of September. In 2026 this is Friday, 25 September. Because the date is tied to the calendar rather than fixed to a single number, it shifts each year. South Dakota observes Native American Day separately on the second Monday of October, which in 2026 is Monday, 12 October, in place of Columbus Day.
While the holiday has its strongest legal footing in these three states, the spirit of the day is marked far more widely. Schools, museums, universities, and cultural centres across the country use the occasion to host events, and many tribal nations hold their own gatherings. The most prominent public celebration is the annual California Native American Day event held at the State Capitol in Sacramento, which brings together tribal leaders, dancers, artisans, and educators.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, 25 September |
| 2027 | Friday, 24 September |
| 2028 | Friday, 22 September |
| 2029 | Friday, 28 September |
| 2030 | Friday, 27 September |
Traditions and Customs
Native American Day is marked by gatherings that celebrate living culture rather than commemorate a single moment in history. Common customs include the following.
- Powwows and dance demonstrations – Powwows bring together drummers, singers, and dancers in regalia that carries deep family and tribal meaning. Many communities host or attend these gatherings, which are social and ceremonial occasions as much as performances.
- Capitol and civic ceremonies – In California, tribal leaders and elders gather at the State Capitol in Sacramento for a formal programme that has run for more than fifty years, featuring blessings, speeches, and cultural displays.
- Storytelling and oral history – Elders share creation stories, histories, and teachings, passing knowledge to younger generations in the oral tradition that has sustained tribal cultures for thousands of years.
- Arts, crafts, and trade – Beadwork, basketry, pottery, and weaving are displayed and sold, supporting Native artisans and keeping traditional skills alive.
- Educational programmes – Schools and universities host talks, exhibitions, and lessons that explore the histories of the many distinct nations rather than a single, generalised culture.
Ways to Celebrate Native American Day
There are many respectful and meaningful ways to take part in the day, whether you have Indigenous heritage or simply wish to learn.
- Learn whose land you are on – Find out which tribal nations are native to the area where you live and seek out their own websites, museums, and cultural centres to learn directly from the source.
- Attend a local powwow or cultural event – Many gatherings welcome respectful visitors. Follow any guidance on photography and etiquette, and listen more than you speak.
- Read works by Native authors – Books by Indigenous writers offer perspectives that mainstream histories often miss. Choose authors from a range of nations to appreciate the diversity of cultures.
- Support Native-owned businesses and artisans – Buy beadwork, art, food, and crafts directly from Native makers, ensuring your money supports the communities whose traditions you admire.
- Visit a museum or cultural centre – Tribally run museums tell stories on their own terms and offer a far richer understanding than a single day of headlines can provide.
- Share accurate information – Help correct stereotypes by sharing well-sourced facts and amplifying Native voices rather than speaking for them.
Facts and Figures
- California was the first state to honour Native peoples with an official day, declared by Governor Culbert Olson in 1939.
- Governor Ronald Reagan signed the 1968 resolution establishing the fourth Friday of September observance.
- Assembly Bill 1953 made Native American Day an official California state holiday in 1998.
- There are 574 federally recognised tribal nations in the United States, each with its own government, history, and culture.
- South Dakota replaced Columbus Day with Native American Day in 1990, becoming an early leader in this shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Native American Day?
Native American Day is a United States state holiday honouring the history, cultures, and contributions of the Indigenous peoples of North America. It is most firmly established in California, Nevada, and South Dakota.
When is Native American Day in 2026?
In California and Nevada it falls on Friday, 25 September 2026, the fourth Friday of September. South Dakota observes it on Monday, 12 October 2026, the second Monday of October.
Is Native American Day the same as Indigenous Peoples Day?
No. They are distinct observances. Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated in many places on the second Monday of October as an alternative to Columbus Day, while Native American Day in California and Nevada has its own separate date on the fourth Friday of September. You can read more about Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day, which marks a similar idea north of the border on 21 June.
Spread the Word
Share Native American Day with your community using #NativeAmericanDay and #NativeAmericanDay2026. Whether you mark the occasion by attending a powwow, reading a Native author, or learning whose land you live on, every bit of awareness helps honour and sustain these living cultures.
Related Awareness Days
- Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day – Marks the heritage and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples on 21 June.
- National Loving Day – Celebrates the landmark civil-rights ruling on the freedom to marry, sharing themes of recognition and equality.
- National New Mexico Day – Honours a state whose history and culture are deeply shaped by its many Pueblo and tribal nations.
Links
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