Native American Heritage Month

Each November, we come together to honor Native American Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, and histories of Native Americans. By learning and participating, we can build a stronger sense of community and belonging.

This month is also a chance to raise awareness of the unique challenges Native communities have faced, both historically and today. Native American resilience, strength, and contributions have shaped the nation. By learning about these histories and cultural experiences, we demonstrate respect and foster greater empathy.

A Look at Native American History

Native Americans have inhabited North, Central, and South America for at least 15,000 years. Pre-Columbian America included over 1,000 distinct civilizations in what is now the U.S., with more than 500 languages spoken across the land. Today, the U.S. recognizes 574 federally recognized Indian Nations, each with its own distinct culture and governance system, some of which even influenced the founding structure of the United States government.

Learning more about Native histories and perspectives opens up new ways to honor this heritage. Here are some engaging ways to explore and celebrate Native American Heritage Month this November.

Ways to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month

Read

Consider books by Indigenous authors to gain insight into Native perspectives. Libraries nationwide offer curated collections for Native American Heritage Month:

• Public Libraries Online highlights Indigenous authors and historical materials specific to Native American Heritage Month.
• The Library of Congress offers “Free to Use and Reuse” image collections showcasing Indigenous histories and achievements.
• Los Angeles Public Library and Orange County, Florida Library systems have dedicated Native American Heritage Month pages with curated reading lists and events.

Additionally, the American Indian Library Association (AILA) shares resources and books focused on Indigenous cultures, languages, and experiences.

Art & Culture

Native American culture is vibrant and diverse, and there are many ways to explore it through art:

• National Museum of the American Indian (part of the Smithsonian) offers virtual exhibitions and on-site collections in Washington, D.C., and New York City.
• National Parks offer experiences that connect visitors with Indigenous stories and landmarks.
• National Park Service’s Native American Heritage Month website shares educational resources, historic sites, and virtual tours.

Cook and Eat

Food is a powerful way to connect with culture:

• North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS), founded by Chef Sean Sherman, offers recipes, videos, and educational resources on Native food traditions and food sovereignty.
• Mitsitam Café Cookbook from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian offers Native recipes representing the diverse regional cuisines across the Americas. This cookbook lets you experience Indigenous food from home.

Watch

Streaming services like Disney+ have selected classic films dubbed into Native languages, allowing viewers to experience popular stories through an Indigenous lens. The D23 blog offers more suggestions for celebrating Native American Heritage Month through film.

Listen

StoryCorps collects personal stories from across the U.S., including those from Native communities, and makes these stories available through the Library of Congress and their online archive. Podcasts and audiobooks from AudioFile Magazine and other sources also feature Indigenous storytellers sharing their lived experiences.

By taking part in Native American Heritage Month, we learn to appreciate and respect the diverse identities and experiences that make up our communities. Embracing this history helps us understand the past, strengthens our present, and shapes a more inclusive future.

 

Resources for Further Learning

A Proclamation on National Native American Heritage Month (WhiteHouse.gov)

Native American Heritage Month (.gov)

National Native American Heritage Month(Department of the Interior Indian Affairs)

National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

Native American Heritage Month November (Smithsonian Institute)