The Old Part Building in Leland will host a special event today (Monday, October 9) to commemorate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. That holiday, which celebrates indigenous American peoples and their cultures and histories, falls each year on the second Monday in October. The Old Art Building’s celebration will feature three local speakers “who will shed light on various aspects of Indigenous culture, history, and activism.”

Doors for the celebration open at noon, with art from Jamie John – who identifies as “a two-spirit trans and queer Anishinaabe and Korean-American multi-disciplinary artist” – on display and for sale.

At 1pm, John and two other speakers – JoAnne Cook and Holly T. Bird – will take the stage to address the audience. Cook, who often teaches classes locally on tribal history and culture, is currently serving as chief appellate judge for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Bird, meanwhile, is an attorney and indigenous activist who serves as co-executive director of Title Track and sits on the board of education for Traverse City Area Public Schools.

The speaking portion of the event is set to conclude around 2:30pm, at which point John, Cook, and Bird will linger to greet the audience ands “to answer questions and continue conversations.”

The Old Art Building event is free and open to all.