Throughout the month of November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, but what does that mean for those who don’t have Native American Heritage. According to the National Congress of American Indians, this month is set aside to “celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories, and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.”(1)
A great opportunity for all of us to research or look into during this month is what tribes are within our areas and to learn about their cultures, their traditions, and their history and to learn to appreciate the differences we may have and the things that we can learn from one another. Another option to learn about the multitude of indigenous cultures here in the United States is to read books written by indigenous authors and read about the histories of the areas we live in. I have compiled both a list of books within our collection that you can look into, and also a couple of links if you would like to learn more about different Native American tribes in Michigan and beyond. Hope you enjoy!
- “Native American Heritage Month.” National Congress of American Indians, https://www.ncai.org/initiatives/native-american-heritage-month. October 20, 2022
Links to Learn More!
- Native American Heritage Month
- The Indigenous People of Michigan
- Resources on Indigenous People in Michigan
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month by reading about the history and culture of various tribes in North America, and some great fiction written by indigenous authors.
