Newton celebrated Native American history and culture on Monday, as Indigenous Peoples Day has replaced Columbus Day for a few years now, and the rain did not dampen the spirit of the day.

Representatives, vendors and spectators from several tribes gathered inside Newton North High School, as the annual event was moved in from Albemarle Field due to the rain (can you imagine trying to dance around a fire pit in that?). There were nearly 70 tables with vendors and advocacy groups lined up and down the halls, and the cafeteria was large enough for dance and drumming demonstrations.

And, of course, there was food.

While the weather removed the event from its natural outdoors setting, the move indoors compelled more conversation, as the hundreds of people at the event were packed into a high school instead of sprawled out on a field.

Newton’s City Council voted in 2020 to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, to honor the region’s Native American tribes. The next year, the Indigenous Peoples Day Newton held its first celebration. It’s gotten bigger and more popular each year, and last year tribal leaders read a proclamation that Newton’s Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration should be seen as the must-go-to event in the commonwealth.

To learn more about Indigenous Peoples Day Newton or donate to fund future events and programs, visit ipdnewton.org.

Here are some photos from Newton’s fifth Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration.

A dance line forms to the sound of Taino drumming at Newton’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Oct. 13, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Left to right: Miranda DeGaetano, Tara DeGaetano and Daycia Frye host a booth at Newton’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Oct. 13, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Kleidy McCoy sells her handmade jewelry at Newton’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Oct. 13, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Sharyn Roberts and Tami Roberts of the League of Women Voters of Newton host a booth at Newton’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Oct. 13, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Hartman Deetz shows his crafts at Newton’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Oct. 13, 2025. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

City Councilor Stephen Farrell, left, and State Rep. Greg Schwartz, right, arrive at Newton’s Indigenous People Day celebration on Oct. 13, 2025.