The Significance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Columbus Day Alignment | A Reflection on Tribal Sovereignty, Self-Determination, and the 12 Tribes of Israel
The concurrent observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Columbus Day symbolizes a profound shift in how we approach history, sovereignty, and justice. While Columbus Day has traditionally celebrated European exploration, Indigenous Peoples’ Day highlights the resilience, culture, and contributions of Native American tribes, offering a counter-narrative to the colonization and exploitation that followed Columbus’ arrival. This juxtaposition presents an opportunity for deep reflection on the broader themes of dispossession, restoration, and unity.
In examining these themes, we can draw parallels to the 12 Tribes of Israel and their scattering throughout the world, Indigenous tribes’ fight for sovereignty, the rise of Messianic Judaism, and the prophetic vision of the New Jerusalem. We will also draw upon ancient wisdom and spiritual insights from various texts to understand the greater divine plan for justice, restoration, and unity.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Columbus Day: A Shift in Narrative
Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the history, culture, and resilience of Native American tribes, whose societies have endured despite the profound trauma of colonization. Native American tribes, much like the 12 Tribes of Israel, have faced the loss of their lands, culture, and autonomy. The celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day symbolizes an acknowledgment of the rights and sovereignty of Native peoples — a recognition long overdue in the face of Columbus’ legacy of conquest.
This reevaluation of historical events sparks a conversation around global themes of justice and restoration. In Bloodline of the Gods, Nick Redfern explores the idea that humanity’s very nature is deeply connected to ancestral and cosmic origins, implying that both the Indigenous peoples and the scattered tribes of Israel are part of a larger spiritual plan for restoration.
Tribal Sovereignty and Self-Determination
The concept of tribal sovereignty is central to Indigenous peoples’ identity. Each tribe is inherently autonomous, with its own systems of governance and legal frameworks predating the formation of the United States. As Roberts’ Rules of Order exemplifies in structuring parliamentary procedure, tribes similarly maintain order through their governance systems, facilitating self-determination.
Self-determination for Indigenous peoples, much like the prophetic vision of the 12 Tribes of Israel, represents a reclamation of their inherent rights. In The Incomplete Church, Sid Roth emphasizes that restoration and unity come through understanding one’s divine purpose. Both Indigenous and Israelite tribes share a narrative of seeking the restoration of their lands and cultures under the covenant promises of YHWH.
The 12 Tribes of Israel: Scattered Yet Sovereign
The 12 Tribes of Israel, descended from the sons of Ya’akov (Jacob), each held their unique roles within the broader spiritual and cultural framework of Israel. However, after the Babylonian exile and subsequent diasporas, these tribes were scattered across the nations. This scattering mirrors the experience of Native American tribes displaced from their ancestral lands.
1. Reuven (רְאוּבֵן) — Known for dignity and strength, but also instability.
2. Shimon (שִׁמְעוֹן) — Represents discernment and the power to hear clearly.
3. Levi (לֵוִי) — Priestly tribe, dedicated to spiritual leadership and service.
4. Yehudah (יְהוּדָה) — From which comes the line of King David and Mashiach (Messiah).
5. Dan (דָּן) — Known for justice and the execution of judgment.
6. Naphtali (נַפְתָּלִי) — Represents agility and freedom.
7. Gad (גָּד) — Known for military strength and overcoming adversity.
8. Asher (אָשֵׁר) — Blessed with abundance and prosperity.
9. Issachar (יִשָּׂשכָר) — Represents scholarship and wisdom.
10. Zebulun (זְבוּלֻן) — Known for commerce and travel.
11. Yosef (יוֹסֵף) — Symbolizes faithfulness, endurance, and blessing.
12. Binyamin (בִּנְיָמִין) — Represents resilience and protection.
The scattering of Israel throughout the nations is not the end of their story. As prophesied in Ezekiel 37:21–22, YHWH will regather the children of Israel into their land and make them one nation again under the leadership of the Messiah:
“I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, where they have gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land.”
Just as Indigenous peoples have fought for the restoration of their sovereignty, the regathering of Israel points to a future where all tribes will be restored to their rightful place, fulfilling the divine plan.
Israel and Maryland: The Spiritual Significance
While geographically modern Israel is in the Middle East, the term “Israel” in its spiritual context transcends physical borders. According to some prophetic interpretations, such as those found in Reading Moses, Seeing Jesus, certain American states like Maryland bear symbolic significance, representing spiritual parallels to the Promised Land.
This idea of a “spiritual Israel” aligns with the concepts presented in The Council of Light, where Hoffman speaks of the manifestation of divine realities beyond geographic constraints. In this vision, the land is not merely a physical location but a spiritual state of being — one that both Indigenous nations and Israel aspire to.
Messianic Judaism and the New Jerusalem
Messianic Judaism (יהדות משיחית) bridges the Jewish roots of faith with the belief that Yeshua (ישוע) is the promised Messiah. It unifies Jews and Gentiles, fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah and the vision of a restored and united people under YHWH. In One for Israel, this movement emphasizes the completion of the Torah in Yeshua and the ultimate fulfillment of the promises made to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Ya’akov.
The vision of the New Jerusalem is central to Messianic Judaism. Revelation 21:1–4 describes the New Jerusalem descending from heaven, symbolizing the culmination of God’s plan for unity and restoration:
“I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from Elohim, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.”
This “New Jerusalem” represents a time when both the scattered tribes of Israel and the displaced Indigenous peoples will experience a full restoration in the Messianic age. According to Needless Casualties of War, John Paul Jackson teaches that this future reign of peace under Yeshua will mark the defeat of evil and the restoration of all things.
Conclusion: A Path to Restoration
The convergence of Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Columbus Day calls us to reflect on the ongoing struggle for justice, sovereignty, and restoration. Whether we look at the 12 Tribes of Israel or Indigenous nations, the theme of scattering followed by divine restoration emerges strongly.
As Power Moves by Sarah Jakes Roberts reminds us, the path to restoration requires resilience and faith. In the same way, Messianic Judaism emphasizes the role of Yeshua in bringing about the New Jerusalem, a time when all nations and tribes will live in unity under YHWH’s reign. In the words of Isaiah 2:3:
“For out of Zion shall go forth the Torah, and the word of YHWH from Yerushalayim.”
Both Native and Israelite tribes share a profound story of displacement, but the promise of full restoration points to a future era of justice, healing, and unity under the reign of Mashiach.
References
Hoffman, D. R. (2013). The Council of Light: Divine Transmissions for Manifesting the Deepest Desires of the Soul. Bear & Company.
Jackson, J. P., & Sanford, J. (1999). Needless Casualties of War. Streams Publishing House.
Joseph, H. B. (2005). Book of Wisdom. Sterling Publishing.
Redfern, N. (2015). Bloodline of the Gods: Unravel the Mystery of the Human Blood Type to Reveal the Aliens Among Us. New Page Books.
Roth, S. (2007). The Incomplete Church: Unifying God’s Children. Destiny Image Publishers.
Taylor, S. (2014). In the Spirit. Warner Books.
Roberts, S. J. (2017). Power Moves. Thomas Nelson.
Roob, A. (1997). Alchemy & Mysticism. Taschen.
Warren, R. (2002). A Purpose Driven Life. Zondervan.
Bryant, T. (2021). Homecoming. Penguin Life.
