Celebrating Indigenous Heritage

What is Native American/Indigenous People’s Month?

For almost one hundred years, Americans both Indian and non-Indian have urged that there be permanently designated by the nation a special place on the calendar to honor the contributions, achievements, sacrifices, and cultural and historical legacy of the original inhabitants of what is now the United States and their descendants: the American Indian and Alaska Native people.

The quest for a national honoring of Native Americans began in the early 20th Century as a private effort. As far back as the late 1970s, Congress has enacted legislation and subsequent presidents have issued annual proclamations designating a day, a week or a month to celebrate and commemorate the nation’s American Indian and Alaska Native heritage. In 2009, Congress passed and the President signed legislation that established the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving Day of each year as “Native American Heritage Day.” [Source: Indian Affairs]

Terms Used for Indigenous People’s:

• Alaska Native: This term refers to the Indigenous people of the area. Native Alaskan is anyone from Alaska (including non-indigenous).
• American Indian: Some tribes (and their associated parks) prefer Native Americans. Use specific tribal name(s) whenever possible, accurate, and appropriate. See also First Nations, tribal names.
• First Nation, First Nations: Refers to aboriginal people in Canada who are neither Inuit (people of the Canadian Arctic) nor Métis (descendants of First Nation people who married Europeans). Often used in the plural in the collective sense, as in a program for First Nations youth. The term is widely used in Canada but is not used in the US, except in connection with Métis whose homelands include northwest Minnesota, North Dakota, or other northern states. See also American Indian.
• Native American: Use if requested by specific tribes or parks. See American Indian.
• Tribal Name: Use specific tribal name(s) whenever possible, accurate, and appropriate. Also, the preference is to use the singular noun: Navajo, Lakota, Tlingit. See also American Indian. Examples: The Navajo entered Canyon de Chelly about 300 years ago. The Anishinaabek fished in Lake Superior.

[Source: The National Park Service and the Council for Indigenous Relevancy, Communication, Leadership, and Excellence]

Celebrating Indigenous People’s Heritage

Some honor and celebrate Indigenous People’s Heritage Month by donating to Indigenous charities, eating food from Indigenous tribes, learning from their cultures, and honoring influential Indigenous figures who have made an impact on our society. Below are some ways you can celebrate with us!

Check out TV Shows, Documentaries, Movies, Books, and Podcasts: