November is Native American Heritage Month, also referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. President Calvin Coolidge issued a proclamation on September 28, 1915 which declared the second Saturday of may as an American Indian Day. This recognition was the first for Native Americans, and was the result of years of planning and advocacy by the Congress of the American Indian Association. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a resolution designating November 1990 as “National American Indian Heritage Month”, and it has been declared a similar Month every year since 1994. The significant contributions of Native American/American Indians have made to the establishment of the United States are celebrated, along with their wide variety of tribe and clan cultures, traditions, and history. It is also a month to learn and act on the current challenges facing Native peoples today.
Native American Heritage Month
America is a vast land of many cultures dating back thousands of years to the original inhabitants of the land. The history and heritage of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Island communities are part of all national parks today. Throughout the year, and especially during November during Native American Heritage Month, many institutions celebrate together the rich traditions, languages, and contributions of Indigenous people.
Join the conversation on social media by using #IndigenousHeritageMonth or #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.Explore the stories in honor of Native American Heritage Month, but also find resources to learn about Indigenous history and heritage year-round.
Native Americans who served in the US Military: Sharing History & Heritage
Featured Places Educators Portal
Tribal Tourism and Native Voices Celebrating Indigenous Artists
The National Park Service has suggestions for self-guided activities to learn more about Indigenous peoples' history and heritage. Find a park to begin planning your visit or download the NPS App.
Not sure which term is applicable? Want to learn more about these terms?
Learn more about the terminology of: American Indian, Indian, Native American, Indigenous, and Native by visiting the National Museum of the American Indian:
