November is officially Native American Heritage Month or American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month and is recognized across our nation. The month of November is a perfect time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and history of American Indians. This is a good time to acknowledge the great contributions American Indians have made to our present day lives including music, language, food, culture, and government. It is important to take a moment to learn what terms like “decolonize”, “sovereignty”, “land acknowledgment” and “appropriation” mean to tribal communities. This is a moment to check in and ask yourself if you know whose ancestral land you occupy, what do you know about that tribe and where are the tribal community members located now? There are many resources to learn more and celebrate American Indian people past and present. Here are some links for all ages to check out:
National American Indian Heritage Month (The Library of Congress)
Native-Land.ca (Native Land Digital)
National Park Service (Educator Resources)
Social Justice Books (Booklist)
Native American Children’s Literature Recommended Reading List (firstnations.org)
Native Perspectives on Thanksgiving:
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