
Ashleigh Smith

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a time to recognize the history, contributions, and culture of the Indigenous communities that have lived in the Americas for thousands of years. It is typically celebrated on the second Monday of October each year. While it is recognized federally, it remains a state holiday in 20 states currently. “The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act, reintroduced in Congress on October 2, 2023, would designate the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day nationwide.” Many people hope that Indigenous Peoples’ Day will replace or be celebrated alongside Columbus Day. While Columbus Day has been celebrated as a federal holiday since 1934, many feel it represents the violent history of colonization and repression of the indigenous people who have resided here long before the European expeditions to discover the Americas.
“Since time immemorial, American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians have built vibrant and diverse cultures — safeguarding land, language, spirit, knowledge, and tradition across the generations. On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, our Nation celebrates the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, recognizes their inherent sovereignty, and commits to honoring the Federal Government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations.”
“Today, we acknowledge the significant sacrifices made by Native peoples to this country — and recognize their many ongoing contributions to our Nation.”
– A Proclamation on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, 2021
Here at True Leaf Market, we strive to appreciate and learn from the generational knowledge of the indigenous communities. For thousands of years, the Native American people have utilized the natural habits and needs of various plants to promote stronger and healthier growth, such as the three sisters' crops.
The three sisters is a growing practice used to produce corn, beans, and squash as life-sustaining vegetables that provide beneficial habits and nutrients throughout the growing process. The corn acts as a support to climbing beans. The squash act as a weed suppressant by covering and shading the ground which suppresses and outcompetes intruding weeds. The beans benefit both the corn and squash as a nitrogen fixing legume. This means they transform nitrogen found in the air to a usable form within the soil. The three sisters’ crops are typically grown in mounds or clusters.
Our Partnership with Utah Dine Bikeyah
One of the best ways to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day is by learning more about the indigenous cultures of those near you. Since True Leaf Markets partnership with Utah Dine Bikeyah I have grown in appreciation for the traditional customs and reverence Native Americans have for the land and our reliance on it. You can learn more about Utah Dine Bikeyah’s formation and their mission to protect and educate about the traditional culture created among Native American tribes, including the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, Ute, and Pueblo people at utahdinebikeyah.org. You can also learn more about our partnership and Giving Tuesday initiatives at the links below.
About the Author

I'm Ashleigh Smith, a native to Northern Utah. I first gained a love of gardening with my grandmother as I helped her each summer. I decided to make a career of it and have recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Horticulture from Brigham Young University - Idaho. My studies have focused on plant production while I also have experience in Nursery & Garden Center Operations.
Become a True Leaf Market Brand Ambassador! You’ll enjoy awesome perks, free products and exclusive swag & offers! Help us create a gardening revolution and help others experience the joy of growing!
Our Recommended Picks
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
0 Comments
No Comments yet! Be the first to start a conversation
Further Reading
Why Your Seeds Aren’t Sprouting: Germination Tips and Troubleshooting Guide
Written By Lara Wadsworth Thousands of people every year flock to garden centers nationwide to buy young seedling plugs. While it is incredibly convenient to buy seedlings ready to be planted in the garden, starting seeds at home has some significant a...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-04-0214 min read0Fight Rising Grocery Prices with Victory Gardens
Throughout history, we have seen many reasons for failures in the supply chain when producing and shipping food crops. At the forefront of these historical losses, we have seen pest and disease outbreaks, weather fluctuations, poor growing practices, l...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-04-028 min read5April Planting Guide by Zone
Written By Lara Wadsworth They say that April showers bring May flowers. I say that April seed sowing brings September harvesting! It's not quite as quippy, but it's still true. For much of the country, April is just the beginning of gardening season, ...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-03-2413 min read0How to Improve Soil Drainage
Written By Lara Wadsworth Proper soil drainage is a major part of a successful garden. When the soil retains too much water and becomes soggy for long periods of time, it can cause problems with plant health, inhibit root growth, and increase the chanc...
Ashleigh Smith
2025-03-207 min read0