Wayland To Mark Indigenous Peoples' Day In 2021

WAYLAND, MA — Wayland will mark Indigenous People's Day (IDP) in 2021 in several ways.

The newly formed Wayland Human Rights, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee will observe the day on Oct. 11, according to chair Dovie King. That follows a 2020 vote by the Wayland School Committee to mark the day. Wayland students will have Monday off for IDP.

"We join the Wayland Public Schools in celebrating the diversity of our town, state and nation," King said.

There are no specific events in Wayland planned around IDP, although the Wayland Public Library on Oct. 17 will host a panel discussion about King Philip’s War — an armed conflict between settlers and indigenous people that began in 1675.

A handful of communities in Massachusetts, including Brookline and Somerville, have switched to recognizing IDP instead of Columbus Day. There's also a bill in the state Legislature co-sponsored by Framingham state Rep. Jack Lewis to establish IDP as a state holiday.

Wayland's town government still recognizes Oct. 11 as Columbus Day.