Discussing Columbus Day and Indigenous Perspectives

Did you think about skipping today? Is it Columbus Day? Indigenous People’s Day? Argh! Just because you have one, doesn’t mean you can’t talk about the other. . Today, we discussed Columbus and then unraveled some fallacies in this simple book. And we continued our reading about indigenous schools in Canada. Both sides. . Because guess what? Your kids will hear about Columbus forever. We grew up in a Columbus Day culture. You don’t have to throw away one to have the other. . What if we use the day to discuss how the Columbus picture leaves out details? Or about maybe how the “natives” maybe weren’t so excited to trade spices? Let’s use it as an opportunity to discuss how history is portrayed for different age kids or in different settings. But still seek full truth and understanding. . I’d rather my seven year old learn about Columbus than completely talk about the horrors of this national holiday and avoid it because someone told me it was wrong. Maybe we use a simpler story to talk about 1492 and then back up and talk about other details when they’re ready and old enough. . . So here’s to you Mom today wondering what in the word to talk about on this holiday. Maybe it’s easier to avoid than “do it wrong”?! I thought about it, honestly. . Let’s face it, Indigenous People deserve more than a day. Just like Black History deserves more than a month. However, if that’s what it takes to bring topics and books to attention, so be it. . However, don’t feel like you have to throw out all the Columbus books. Use them as talking points. Let’s educate ourselves as we educate our kids to dive deeper into the full stories and history. . Here’s to learning history. Talk it through. Learn truth. And then look at it from another perspective because everyone has their own version of “truth” these days. ❤️ . . How did you discuss the day? Which one?