Indigenous Peoples Day
NFL athlete Shiyazh Pete waves goodbye to Dallas Cowboys die hard fans Norman Smith, bottom left and his wife Marleen Smith in the wheelchair from Pueblo Pintado, N. M., t the Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at Tiguex Park in Albuquerque.
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The first member the Navajo Nation to play in the NFL got a hero’s welcome in New Mexico on Indigenous Peoples Day. Shiyazh Pete signed footballs and jerseys and posed with fans for photos in Albuquerque on Monday. Pete is now a free agent after being waived by the Dallas Cowboys, but his preseason debut gave Native Americans a moment to remember when thousands from across the Navajo Nation cheered him on in a game against the Arizona Cardinals in August. Pete joins a long list of Indigenous athletes who have broken barriers, inspired pride and become role models for children.
