National American Indian Heritage Month

National American Indian Heritage Month
Name	National American Indian Heritage Month
Observedby	United States
Date	November
Scheduling	annual
Duration	1 month
Frequency	annual

National American Indian Heritage Month is an annual observance held in November honoring the history, cultures, and contributions of Native American peoples across the United States. It commemorates the traditions of diverse Indigenous nations including the Cherokee Nation, Navajo Nation, Lakota Sioux, Ojibwe, and Iroquois Confederacy, while recognizing leaders such as Sitting Bull, Sacagawea, Chief Joseph, and Sequoyah. The month encompasses events, educational initiatives, and federal proclamations involving institutions like the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of the American Indian, Library of Congress, and organizations such as the National Congress of American Indians.

History

The observance traces roots to local civic efforts and earlier commemorations like American Indian Day proclamations in states including New York and California. Activists from groups such as the American Indian Movement and leaders like Wilma Mankiller and Russell Means advanced visibility through demonstrations connected to sites like Alcatraz Island and legal actions citing treaties such as the Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868). Legislative milestones include proposals in the United States Congress following work by representatives such as Ben Nighthorse Campbell and senators like Daniel Inouye and Byron Dorgan that led to national recognition in the late 20th century. Scholarly efforts at universities like Harvard University, University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University contributed archival research referencing figures such as Chief Standing Bear and documents related to the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924.

Observances and Celebrations

Communities celebrate with powwows featuring drum groups like those from the Pueblo peoples and dance troupes tied to nations such as the Pawnee, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Creek (Muscogee) Nation, and Seminole Tribe of Florida. Museums including the National Museum of the American Indian, Autry Museum of the American West, and Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology host exhibitions on artifacts connected to individuals like Hiawatha and works by artists such as T.C. Cannon, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, and Norbert S. Hill Jr.. Cultural institutions like the Kennedy Center, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and New York Public Library present programs featuring authors such as Louise Erdrich, Sherman Alexie, Leslie Marmon Silko, and N. Scott Momaday. Tribal colleges including Sinte Gleska University, Haskell Indian Nations University, and Diné College organize lectures and ceremonies rooted in practices of the Nez Perce and Blackfeet Nation.

Federal Recognition and Proclamations

Presidential proclamations have been issued by presidents from Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden, often coordinating with agencies like the National Archives and Records Administration, the Smithsonian Institution, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Congressional resolutions in the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate have referenced laws such as the Indian Reorganization Act and the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, and involved lawmakers like Patty Murray and Tom Cole. Federal observances align with programs from the National Park Service at sites like Poverty Point and Mesa Verde National Park, and collaborations with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of the Interior.

Cultural Significance and Themes

Themes emphasize sovereignty, language revitalization, and cultural resilience, spotlighting language projects for tongues such as Cherokee language, Navajo language, Lakota language, and Ojibwe language led by scholars like Marie-Lucie Tarpent and programs at institutions like University of New Mexico and University of Arizona. Artistic recognition highlights filmmakers and musicians such as Zoë Trudeau and R. Carlos Nakai, authors like N. Scott Momaday and Linda Hogan, and visual artists including Frank Buffalo Hyde and Fritz Scholder. Historical remembrance centers on events like the Trail of Tears, Wounded Knee Massacre, Sand Creek Massacre, and legal struggles referencing cases such as Worcester v. Georgia and Marshall Trilogy opinions.

Events and Educational Programs

National and local events include conferences hosted by the National Congress of American Indians, festivals like the Gathering of Nations, academic symposia at Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and the American Anthropological Association, and film screenings at festivals such as the Native American Film + Video Festival. Educational programs occur in K–12 partnerships with school districts in Alaska and Oklahoma, university courses at University of Michigan and Columbia University, and digital initiatives by organizations like the First Nations Development Institute and the Native American Rights Fund. Grants and awards from institutions like the National Endowment for the Humanities and the MacArthur Foundation support projects featuring scholars such as Vine Deloria Jr. and Philip J. Deloria.

Criticism and Controversy

Critiques address commercialization and appropriation in venues from NFL stadium promotions to museum exhibits, and disputes over mascots involving teams like the Washington Commanders and university programs at Stanford University and University of North Dakota. Debates also focus on representation in media featuring filmmakers like Chris Eyre and broadcasters such as Iesha Clark, legal conflicts tied to statutes like the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, and contested narratives in textbooks produced by publishers including Pearson Education and McGraw-Hill.

Category:Native American culture