KIMT News 3's Evan Berg speaks to native Americans about what the day means to them.

ROCHESTER, Minn.-Mayo Clinic's Celebrate Dakota! employee resource group partnered with the city of Rochester to host an Indigenous People's Day celebration on Monday, Oct. 14.

The event featured speeches from community elders, live drumming and dancing from traditional tribal performers and an official proclamation from City Council President Brook Carlson celebrating the holiday in the Rochester community.

Performers came from several different tribal backgrounds including Ojibwe and Dakota, and featured styles like Jingle Dress, Fancy Shawl and Grass dancing.

The events organizers even included RPS students and the rest of the audience in a grand finale, which was a traditional Round Dance.

Reyna Archie, a contemporary jingle dress dancer, said she hoped the tradition could continue far into the future to raise awareness about indigenous culture.

"It's a really good feeling, the world is opening up to Indigenous People Day, it's more known now and it's a really big deal," Archie said.

According to the state of Minnesota, the event was just one of several throughout the region meant to promote education and discussion of Native American history, culture and contemporary issues.