The month of November is known for many things including Thanksgiving, Veterans Day, Black Friday, and the anticipation for Christmas. But many people may not know that this month is also Native American Heritage Month—also known as Native American Indian Heritage.

History

Native American Heritage Month was established in 1990 by Congress and President George H. W. Bush. They signed a law proclaiming November as Native American Heritage Month. 

Native Americans resided in the United States far before the founding of the country. They lived on the land for at least 20,000 years, according to The Atlantic. When European settlers arrived, a long period of persecution by colonists began for the Native population in North America. They’ve had a tragic history as millions of Native were forced off their land by settlers during the early days of the New World.

According to The World, there was an “Indigenous population of 60 million in 1492.” Throughout time between centuries, it’s implied that the population loss between 1492 to 1900 is 85%. 

The Administration for Children & Families states that “There are 5.2 million American Indian and Alaska Natives making up approximately 2 percent of the U.S. population.”

This month is important to our country because it honors the contributions that Native people have made to the US and the mark that Indigenous history has left on our history. We celebrate the individuals who shaped our society and bring attention to their cultures/traditions, along with respecting their achievements as the country’s original inhabitants and their descendants. 

People tend to overlook this group that takes up so much of our history and what they’ve brought to our communities, with their language, culture, and traditions.

It’s crucial to educate yourself on different cultures and their histories, and the impact they’ve had on the world. Ways to honor and learn about Native American heritage: museum exhibits, film screenings, cultural festivals, films, shows, and plays.

Facts about Native American Heritage

• They speak more than 300 languages!
• There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the US. 
• More than half of US states have names based on Native languages, like Connecticut, Utah, and Kentucky.
• The Cherokee was the biggest tribe in the US. They lived in America far before Colombus came around.
• Last year, Biden issued a proclamation for Indigenous People’s Day, which was also recognized as Columbus Day.
• November 24 is observed as Native American Heritage Day.
• Native Americans born in the US were only granted American citizenship and the right to vote on June 2, 1924, by the Indian Citizenship Act! Despite that, some states didn’t allow Indigenous people to vote for decades.

Try and wear the color red this month to honor Native American Heritage Month!