Astoria Celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day with Unity and Tradition

Drumbeats echoed through downtown Astoria, Oregon, as approximately 30 community members gathered on October 13, 2025, to celebrate the fifth annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The event took place outside the Astoria Post Office, where attendees engaged in song, shared laughter, and participated in cultural rituals, creating an atmosphere filled with connection and reverence for Indigenous heritage.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day, observed nationwide on the second Monday of October, serves as an alternative to Columbus Day. It highlights the histories and cultures of Native peoples across the United States. In Astoria, this observance has transformed into a grassroots tradition. Rather than being organized by a single tribe, it reflects the efforts of local residents who seek to promote visibility and healing within the community.

Cliff Taylor, a member of the Ponca Tribe, shared the personal significance of the day. He recalled the first Indigenous rally he attended in Astoria, an experience that inspired the annual event. “I moved here and there was nothing happening for Indigenous people,” Taylor said. His journey began with a simple act of solidarity when he saw his brother, Izzy Taylor, holding a sign that read, “You are on Native land,” while standing with his young son.

This moment, marked by family and community connection, laid the groundwork for what would become the Indigenous Peoples’ Day rally. Taylor emphasized the importance of feeling safe and visible in one’s community, stating, “We want to feel comfortable and empowered to live our people’s ways, our cultures, our dreams.”

The gathering celebrated not only the resilience of Indigenous peoples but also their ongoing connection to the land. Speakers at the event highlighted the significance of the nearby Columbia River in Indigenous history. Tony A. Johnson, chairman of the Chinook Indian Nation, spoke about the Chinook tradition of raising one’s hands as a gesture of humility and respect. “When we say we raise our hands up, it means we are putting you above us,” Johnson explained. “These are the teachings of our people, the way it was here for more than 10,000 years.”

As the rally progressed, participants moved seamlessly between moments of reflection and celebration. Nugent Crawford, who is Cherokee and new to Astoria, expressed the importance of community, saying, “Being an Indigenous person, however you define it, it’s always good to be in community.” He noted that everyone has a connection to a place and emphasized the significance of honoring Indigenous roots.

As the event drew to a close, the sounds of singing and drumming blended with the ambient noises of the plaza, capturing the spirit of unity. Organizers encouraged participants to continue fostering Indigenous presence in Clatsop County. “Let’s keep watching the trees grow, keep watching the community grow more luminous and wonderful,” Taylor remarked. “That’s the medicine: community, connection — and love for this land.”

This year’s observance not only commemorated the past but also looked forward to a future of increased visibility and empowerment for Indigenous peoples in Astoria and beyond.