October 13 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, also known as Columbus Day. Both names tell a story: one that leaves out the harm of oppression, while the other tells a story of resilience and hope. It is a day to honor Native peoples’ traditions, leadership and resilience, while reflecting on how religion has too often been used by those in power to erase Indigenous voices and coerce conformity.
At Americans United, we work alongside diverse faith and nonreligious leaders who know that true religious freedom can only exist when we separate state and church. That principle is as urgent now as it has ever been. Which is why we want to share two resources with you that bring this history — and its impact today — into focus:
The Pledge of Allegiance and its Columbus connection:
Beginning as a secular civic exercise in 1892, the pledge was tied to the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival. In 1954, under pressure from the Knights of Columbus, “under God” was added to the pledge — transforming it into a tool of religious coercion in public schools. Today, students are still pressured to comply. Go to act.au.org/columbus to read more.
Rachel Laser’s reflections and why stories matter:
AU’s President and CEO, Rachel Laser, has shared how church-state violations affect Indigenous people — including Kateri, a woman living in New Mexico, and the Rev. Dr. Mitch Randall, an AU plaintiff and Baptist pastor, who have both seen firsthand what happens when the government imposes religion on Indigenous people. Go to act.au.org/stories to read more.
Both stories remind us that the U.S. government’s abuse of religion is not just history, but continues to reverberate and impact people today.
On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, let’s remember that true religious freedom means freedom from coercion. It means every child, every family, and every community — Indigenous, nonreligious and people of all faiths — can live with dignity and without fear of being forced to adhere to someone else’s faith.