'Native American Day is everyday': Santee Sioux Tribe celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day

SANTEE, Neb. -- A Native American tribe is celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day in northeast Nebraska.

The Santee Sioux Tribe held a powwow celebration to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday at the village of Santee's Powwow Grounds.

The day began with a prayer, followed by speeches from village members.

Thelma Thomas, a tribal member, told News Channel Nebraska that Indigenous Peoples’ Day is more to Santee than just a holiday.

"Native American Day is every day for me and a lot of our relatives,” Thomas said. "We have a different kinship system, we have our own values, somewhat different from American values. We believe ours to be at the top and be great.”

The day continued with social dancing and hand games played by children.

Organizers also held a prize drawing for children of all ages to go home with a treat.

Speakers stressed the importance of education and the upbringing of children at the event.

Thomas told News Channel Nebraska why Santee residents want to make sure children get the most out of their education.

“Education is very important and who educates our children is highly important, that the true history also be taught, so we can get to better, stronger days for everybody,” Thomas said. “It is important to me that my family, my children, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren, and more coming be treated as equals.”

The State of Nebraska passed legislation in 2020 to start celebrating every second Monday of October as both Indigenous Peoples' Day and Columbus Day.