November is Native American Heritage Month, which was first declared by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. The month provides an opportunity to commemorate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions and histories and acknowledge the important contributions of Native American/Indigenous people. It is also an important time to educate the general public, as well as young people in schools, about the bias, discrimination and unique challenges faced by Native American/Indigenous people both historically and currently and the ways in which they have confronted these challenges.
In schools and classrooms, Native American Heritage Month is good time to explore Native American history and culture as well as the injustices faced by them and how that injustice has been and continues to be confronted and overcome. However, as with other similarly themed months, it is important not to isolate Native American history and culture into one month during the year. Below are curriculum and other educational resources to bring the themes of Native American Heritage Month to your classroom in November and throughout the year.
