Guide to Indigenous Peoples Day events around Rochester

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Monday is Indigenous Peoples Day, a day to honor indigenous history and culture in the United States.

Since 2022, the City of Rochester has celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day as the same day as the federal holiday Columbus Day after city council unanimously passed an ordinance. Here are some events around Rochester to celebrate the Seneca people and other local indigenous cultures.

Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Rochester

There will be an all-day celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day in Rochester starting at 7 a.m. at Cobbs Hill Reservoir. At the reservoir, there will be the Story of The Peacemaker, Ceremony of Remembrance, and a Cobbs Hill clean-up.

Then, there will a celebration starting at 11 a.m. at Genesee Valley Park at the Roundhouse, Riverbend, and Canalside shelters. There will be music, a lacrosse demonstration, and a Wampum belt display. The celebration will end with a sunset ceremony at Genesee Valley Park at 6:15 p.m. at the Riverbend shelter. You can learn more about the events here.

Indigenous People’s Day at the Rochester Museum and Science Center

The Rochester Museum and Science Center is holding special events on Monday to celebrate Indigenous people. There will a self-guided story corner featuring Indigenous authors and a coloring station made of Indigenous-created coloring sheets.

There will also be an exhibit “At the Western Door: Discover the rich history and culture of the Haudenosaunee people”. You can get tickets and learn more here.