November is National Native American Heritage Month: a time to celebrate, reflect, and recognize the rich and diverse traditions, cultures and contributions of the Indigenous peoples.
The day following Thanksgiving is National Native American Heritage Day and is a time to learn about the more than 500 federally recognized native tribes in the United States. National Geographic offers a “Virtual Field Trip: Native American Stories” series on YouTube that shares the perspectives of those dedicated to conserving and protecting native cultures.
Carla Knapp, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Vice President of Native Services and member of the Penobscot Indian Nation, shared that “culturally, our historical trauma stays with us and is very real in the present-day…it is important that our nation understands this history. But it is also important that we, and especially our Native youth, understand that our story has always been one of incredible strengths.”
The Boys & Girls Club recommends researching and learning about the tribal land you’re living on, reading children’s books about Native Americans, honoring the elders of tribal society and connecting with nature as a way to show respect for a universal Native American value.
Knapp further noted that “Native people have battled the odds to overcome centuries of oppression, and to find ways to thrive and prosper. Yes, we know and believe that our communities deserve so much better. However, although there are economic and systemic challenges, our communities are rich – rich in culture, rich in family and rich in our love for this great nation we call Indian country.”
Non-profit organizations supporting Native American Heritage Month include Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, Xico and Women Empowering Women for Indigenous Nations.
NACF is focused on advancing equity and cultural knowledge on the power of arts and collaboration to strengthen Native communities and promote social change with American Indians, Native Hawaiians and Alaska Native peoples within the United States.
National Artist Fellow, Christopher Morgan, noted that “the work of NACF continues to be incredibly significant to creating true equity for Native artists. The organization values not just the work of Native Artists, but their sense of community and approaches to gathering and art making. The transformative, lasting impact of NACF’s work is difficult to measure, as the catalysts are true catalysts for many things to come.”
Xico is an organization that has been promoting Latino and Indigenous culture through art and community engagement since 1975. It was created by local Chicano and Native Americans and is one of the oldest ethnic art organizations in the United States.
WEWIN was founded in 2004 by a group of Native women who were determined to strengthen tribal cultures and educate others on the history and inherent rights of Native nations. They held a concert back in July that circled around leadership skills and the power of the Indian vote as well as preventing violence against women. The focus of the conference was how tribes could use the United Nations Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
November is an important month for honoring the values of Native Americans and investing time in appreciating and learning about their cultures and traditions.
