Native American Heritage Month 2023
What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose. Native American Heritage Month has evolved from its beginnings as a week-long celebration in 1986, when President Reagan proclaimed the week of November 23-30, 1986 as "American Indian Week." Every President since 1995 has issued annual proclamations designating the month of November as the time to celebrate the culture, accomplishments, and contributions of people who were the first inhabitants of the United States.
Events
The Baylor Office of Multicultural Affairs will be providing a calendar of events to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. To find out more, click here.
The Mayborn Museum is also hosting exhibits and events revolving around Native American Heritage Month. To see their list, click here.
Native American Content Creators
While there are many important figures in Native American history, it is important to look at how today Native Americans are finding ways to bring their culture to the present. We can see this through Native and Indigenous Content Creators and Social Media Influencers. Check out a few of them below!
For adventurous vlogs check out Natalie Franklin
Looking for lifestyle content? Alana Yazzie is your girl!
Click here for more on marathoner Jordan Daniel
Get inspired by young environmentalist Autumn Peliter
Resources
Developing Stories: Native Photographers in the Field
Origins of Native American Heritage Month
Illuminative
6 Stories highlighting Native American history and culture
Native American Culture: Language- The Key to Everything
Indigenous Peoples’ Advocacy Committee pushes university to adopt land acknowledgement
Rethinking Thanksgiving Celebrations: Native Perspectives on Thanksgiving
The Thanksgiving Tale We Tell Is a Harmful Lie. As a Native American, I’ve Found a Better Way to Celebrate the Holiday
Indigenous Voices
The Importance of Providing Native American Education for All Students
For an extensive list of book recommendations that address history, politics, culture, education, and economic development, visit firstnations.org/books.
Podcasts
Native Trailblaze
“This podcast is probably the most prolific of the Native podcasts listed here, with almost 400 shows over the course of the past nearly seven years. The show is hosted by ICMN Arts and Entertainment editor Vincent Schilling and his wife Delores Schilling. The show highlights the lives and work of many notable and fascinating Natives and have included interviews with Buffy St Marie, Chris Eyre, Wayne Newton and much more. The Schillings keep the two-hour conversation going with lively banter, rants and social media interaction. They also aren’t afraid to tackle tough topics, such as the Indian Child Welfare Act or comic Ralphie May’s offensive comments. Catch it live on Fridays at 8 pm Eastern and watch for an occasional specially scheduled show. It begins as a live show on BlogTalkRadio but can also be accessed in archives anytime afterward and on iTunes for free.”
Click here to listen!
Native Opinion
“Michael Kickingbear (Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) and David GreyOwl (Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama) hash out Indigenous issues, from treaty rights to disenrollment, in this podcast. Often, the co-hosts will share current news stories and debate or discuss the key points in a respectful “I hear you but I disagree” tone. They stream the episodes live, and include audience interaction. This podcast is good for a road trip as most episodes are over two hours. Catch this podcast on Fridays at 9pm Eastern.”
Click here to listen!
Unreserved
"Unreserved is the radio space for Indigenous voices – our cousins, our aunties, our elders, our heroes. Rosanna Deerchild guides us on the path to better understand our shared story. Together, we learn and unlearn, laugh and become gentler in all our relations."
Click here to listen!