Continuing The Celebration: Native American Heritage

As we come to the end of American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage Month, it’s important that we continue to celebrate, recognize, and acknowledge the rich cultures, diversities and histories of Indigenous people. Indigenous people have historically faced challenges that continue to present themselves today. While November is an excellent time to educate yourself, one month isn’t enough.  Here are some ways you can continue to recognize and celebrate the nation’s first people, their heritage and importance to our past, present, and future.

Recognize the land that you walk.

• There are over 500 federally recognized tribes in the United States and 326 reservations. Take the time to learn about your local area.
• Visit Native Land Digital, an Indigenous-led organization providing Indigenous territory maps. https://native-land.ca/

Educate yourself on the problems and systems that affect tribes currently in the U.S.

• According to the U.S. National Institute for Justice American Indian and Alaska Native women are murdered or sexually assaulted up to 10 times higher than the national average for all races.

https://indianlaw.org/issue/ending-violence-against-native-women

• “92% of Native American households suffer from food insecurity”
• Restoring access to Native foods can reduce food insecurity
• “30% of Native Americans are unable to access quality healthcare even though about half of the Native American population has low enough incomes to qualify for Medicaid, even with the expansion under Obamacare.”
• The Native American Community Faces Dangerously High Rates Of Food Insecurity

Support Native American owned businesses.

• Here are a few online shops:
• Kalispel metal products
• Sister Sky
• Eighth Generation
• Mad River Brewing
• Or visit: https://betravingknows.com/perspectives/support-native-owned-businesses-this-holiday-season/

Attend events highlighting and celebrating Native American stories.

• Attend a Pow Wow, a gathering that celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ rich ancestoral history.
• Find an event near you! Visit: https://www.powwows.com/what-is-a-pow-wow/

Watch a documentary or pick up a book written by a Native American author, here are some suggestions:

• Movies:
• “Smoke Signals” -watch on Hulu
• “Dead Man” -https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112817/
• “Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee” -https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0821638/
• Books:
• “Little Big Bully” By Heid E. Erdrich -https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/646273/little-big-bully-by-heid-e-erdrich/
• “My Heart Is A Chainsaw” By Stephen Graham Jones -https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55711617-my-heart-is-a-chainsaw
• “The Seed Keeper” By Diane Wilson - https://milkweed.org/book/the-seed-keeper

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