November marks the start of Native American Heritage Month, which recognizes the diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of indigenous peoples. Here are some ways to celebrate and learn about the richness of Native cultures. Please keep in mind there are currently 574, opens a new window federally recognized tribes, each with their distinct identities and customs.
Use Native Land Map, opens a new window to identify the tribal lands you’re living on. Palo Alto is located on the traditional territory of the Ramaytush Ohlone, opens a new window and Muwekma Ohlone, opens a new window.
Read books on Native American history and stories by indigenous authors:
- Understanding Native Histories
- Native American Biographies & Memoirs
- Modern Indigenous Voices, opens a new window
- YA Books by Indigenous Authors, opens a new window
2020 American Indian Library Association's Youth Literature Award for Best Picture BookBowwow Powwow
2020 American Indian Library Association's Youth Literature Award for Best Middle Grade BookIndian No More
2020 American Indian Library Association's Youth Literature Award for Best Young Adult BookHearts Unbroken
Learn the real facts of the first Thanksgiving, opens a new window.
Attend online events:
11/5: Empowering Youth Through Indigenous Stories, opens a new window
11/12: Conversation with Why We Serve Co-Author Alexandra Harris, opens a new window
11/12: On Keeping the Earth: A Live Online Conversation with N. Scott Momaday, opens a new window
11/12: Since the Beginning(s): Native American Oral Traditions & Art , opens a new window
11/14: Indigenous Art Adventures with Lance Cardinal, opens a new window (Family Friendly)
11/18: Double Take Online: Native Artists Creating during the COVID-19 Pandemic
11/18–27: Native Cinema Showcase, opens a new window
11/19: Youth in Action: Conversations about Our Future—Indigenous Food Sovereignty, opens a new window
11/19: Native Poets Layli Long Soldier, Mark Turcotte & Tanaya Winder, opens a new window
11/20: INDIGETHANX 2020 with Special Guest Chef Crystal Wahpehpah, opens a new window
11/25: A Thanksgiving Celebration: De-colonizing Food in America, opens a new window
Go on a virtual field trip:
- Visit the 2020 Sacred Springs Powwow, opens a new window for their 10th Anniversary Virtual Celebration.
- Explore the diversity of indigenous languages around the world with Google Earth’s Celebrating Indigenous Languages.
- Check out Native artifacts at Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.
- View this Smithsonian gallery, opens a new window of Indian imagery in the United States and think about the representations you encounter in your daily life.
Listen to Native music & podcasts:
- Native Radio, opens a new window: Stream contemporary and traditional music.
- Native American Music Awards, opens a new window: Watch and listen to performances by Native artists.
- Hoopla, opens a new window: Listen to songs and dances.
- All My Relations Podcast, opens a new window: Matika Wilbur (Swinomish and Tulalip) and Adrienne Keene (Cherokee Nation) discuss topics facing Native Americans today.
- Métis in Space Podcast, opens a new window: Two Métis women, Molly Swain and Chelsea Vowel, drink wine and analyze sci-fi movies and TV through a decolonial lens.
- Media Indigena, opens a new window: Host Rick Harp provides a weekly discussion of indigenous current affairs in North America.
Watch a documentary or film featuring Native Americans:
For kids:
- Molly of Denali, opens a new window: Follows the adventures of a 10-year old Alaska Native girl, her family, dog, and friends. It is also the first U.S. cartoon series to feature indigenous leads, opens a new window.
For older viewers:
- Documentaries and award winners available on Kanopy, opens a new window
Smoke Signals, opens a new window
Reel Injun, opens a new window
The Cherokee Word for Water, opens a new window
Our Spirits Don't Speak English, opens a new window
Alcatraz Is Not An Island, opens a new window
Indian Horse, opens a new window
Explore Native foods and recipes.
Learn to make frybread, opens a new window, an Iroquois white corn & berry dessert, opens a new window, and more, opens a new window!
The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen, opens a new window
Original Local, opens a new window
-Doris Chen, Librarian at Mitchell Park Library | Follow @dochn, opens a new window on Bibliocommons
