Monday, October 10th Is Indigenous Peoples Day

Let's just get right to the elephant in the room, shall we? Columbus Day is the day we've long set aside to celebrate the historical "discovery" of the new world. While it has been celebrated in the United States since 1792, first pushed into creation by the people behind the true story of the Gangs of New York movie... super interesting history there... the USA isn't alone in this celebration.

Columbus Day is celebrated throughout the Americas and Europe. Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica, Columbia, Peru, Venezuela, most of the Caribbean counties, Spain, Italy, even Canada celebrates Columbus Day... but it's not without its shenanigans.

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For nearly fifty years there has been a movement to shun the celebration of Columbus over the atrocities the Italian explorer committed in the name of Spain. In 1970s, talk began about the idea to rename and rebrand the national holiday to honor the indigenous populations that have suffered in the new world. In the 90s, these efforts became Indigenous Peoples Day.

Over the last thirty years, plenty of states and metropolitan cities across the United States have opted to embrace Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day, though some celebrate both.

As it stands, Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, and Oklahoma officially celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day in one way or another... For instance, in Oklahoma, it's called Native Americans Day.

While I'd like to encourage you to get out and learn about our state, the people, the history, the tribes, and different cultures year round, if it takes a holiday to get you started down that path of learning new and interesting things, October 10th is the perfect starting date.

There is a place you can go to learn about Oklahoma and its native culture relatively near pretty much everywhere in the state, but you should get out of your comfort zone and explore some truly interesting history. Indigenous history is both American and Oklahoma history. Here are some places to visit located near you.

Oklahoma's Best Places To Learn About Native Cultures

Whether you've lived in Oklahoma your whole life, or you're only visiting temporarily, you should indulge your curiosity and learn about America's richest and original culture... Native American culture. While this gallery is incomplete and ever-evolving as I visit new places, here are the few places I've been so far that should absolutely be at the top of your discovery list.

The top 10 Oklahoma pumpkin patches & corn mazes

If you're looking for a place to go for a little fall family fun you're in luck! Oklahoma is home to some of the biggest and best pumpkin patches and corn mazes in the U.S. People from all over travel to the Sooner State every fall to visit these incredible farms. Not only do they offer pumpkin patches along with corn and hay mazes, they also have all kinds of other activities like petting zoos, rides, arts & crafts, food, games, haunted attractions, and a whole lot more. So no matter what your idea of fall fun is, you can find it all in one place!

The top 10 Oklahoma scream parks & haunted attractions

From truly terrifying to kid-friendly and everything in between. Oklahoma has some of the biggest, best and scariest haunted attractions and scream parks in the country. If you're looking for some fall family fun check out these amazing attractions for a frighteningly good time! If haunted houses aren't your thing you could always hit the pumpkin patches & corn mazes by clicking here. In alphabetical order here are your top 10 "best" or "scariest" Oklahoma haunted attractions & scream parks to check out this Halloween if you dare: