November Honors Indigenous Heritage in the US
The federal observance was established in 1990, evolving from a single day recognized in 1915.
By Olivia Miller ·
November is National Native American Heritage Month in the United States. The federal observance recognizes the cultures, languages, and histories of Indigenous peoples across the country.
The holiday traces its origin to 1915. Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca and director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, New York, proposed the date. He convinced the Boy Scouts of America to host a First Americans Day to mark Native contributions to the nation's development.
The recognition changed over the twentieth century. It occurred on different dates in various states under multiple names. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed a joint resolution. The resolution designated November as National Native American Heritage Month.
The month also serves as a time to acknowledge losses from disease, warfare, and forced assimilation during European colonization. WCFE-TV notes that the observance honors the Haudenosaunee peoples. Specifically, it recognizes the Kanien’keha:ka, or Mohawk, tribe, whose ancestral land includes the North Country.
Local communities in the region include Ganienkeh, Akwesasne, Kahnawake, and Kanesatake. These communities are located in the US and neighboring areas of Canada. The station provides classroom resources, books, and activities to help people learn about Indigenous histories and contemporary voices.
