November is National Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate traditions and culture of Indigenous peoples across the United States. It's a wonderful opportunity to recognize Indigenous heritage in a way that is meaningful to you. Here are some ideas for observing this special month.
Watch Gather
A feature-length documentary film from the First Nations Development Institute, Gather tells a story of resilience and the renaissance of Native food systems. Available on iTunes, Amazon, Vimeo, and Netflix, Gather provides historical context around the connection between Native Americans, their food, and their lands. Watching this documentary is a simple way to recognize and celebrate a culture that has withstood and overcome tremendous adversity.
Rock Your Mocs
A grassroots effort that began in 2011 in Albuquerque, N.M., Rock Your Mocs is a week-long virtual unity event held annually during National Native American Heritage Month. But you can display pride and honor your culture by wearing moccasins any day. Doing so combines the enduring cultural significance of moccasins with your current celebration. Snap a photo and post it on social media to spread the awareness and knowledge.
Speak with Your Elders
Elders are an incredible resource. They understand your cultural history and can share the importance of oral traditions that are passed from generation to generation. Take the time to connect with an elder to learn more about your culture and benefit from their wisdom. You may be surprised by what you learn!
Take a Field Trip
If you can, take a trip to a location with historical significance to Indigenous people, such as Mesa Verde National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is home to hundreds of cliff dwellings, which help tell the story of more than 700 years of Native American history.
Those who may not be able to travel physically can still travel virtually. Take a virtual field trip with National Geographic where three Indigenous storytellers share insights from their experiences. Check out more of National Geographic’s offerings to expand your cultural knowledge through the eyes of different Indigenous people.
Explore Native American Art
Creative expression has always been a core component of Native American culture. Today, Indigenous artists are creating engaging, thought-provoking pieces that continue to tell the stories of their ancestors, their cultural traditions, and experiences. Explore the work of contemporary Native American artists in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Learn about modern and contemporary artists, their works, their inspirations, and how they continue to influence and be influenced by their cultures today.
Celebrating your culture, being proud of where you come from, and understanding the traditions, history, and experiences of your tribe are important to helping you develop as an individual. Take the time to learn, to listen, and to experience your heritage in new ways. Not only will you honor your culture, you’ll help to keep it relevant.
ON TOPIC
As National Native American Heritage Month comes to a close, it’s a great time to reflect on your Indigenous past, culture, and traditions. One way to do that is through poetry. Native American poems draw on oral tradition to explore themes of spirituality and seeking balance in life. Much of Native American poetry uses unique images to connect to universal ideas. Here are a few links to start (or continue) your poetry journey:
Native American Poetry
Native American Poetry and Culture
Seven Poems by Indigenous Writers
Native American Heritage Month: Poems for Kids
Another way to explore Native culture is through art. Visit local museums to see exhibits of Native American art, or take virtual tours of museums around the country to explore their collections of Indigenous art and artifacts, including paintings, sculptures, and utilitarian pieces. Check out these museums to get a sense of the treasures on view:
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
The Heard Museum: Experience Indigenous Creativity
The Eiteljorg Museum: Expressions of Life: Native Art in North America
Denver Art Museum: Indigenous Arts of North America
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Art of Native America: The Charles and Valerie Diker Collection
Peabody Essex Museum: Native American Art
