Embracing Native America’s Rich Heritage

Why is November special for Native Americans?

It brings us the Full Beaver Moon. It brings us a National Day of Mourning that dispels the myth of the traditional Thanksgiving. It also reminds us of the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre in Colorado where U.S. troops massacred 230 women, children and elderly Natives who agreed to gather at the site under a white flag of truce at the request of the territorial governor.

November is also Native American Heritage Month.

While Native heritage is lived every day by Tribal Nations and communities throughout the United States, Native American Heritage Month puts our culture in the spotlight and invites everyone to learn about their vibrant history.

How well do you know the heritage of Native Americans?   

Take a short quiz to find out about the real history behind Thanksgiving.

Go here to read short article on what happened during the first Thanksgiving or what happened after the first Thanksgiving.  

And you can also learn why many Native Americans refer to Thanksgiving as a Day of Mourning.

It’s easy to become #NativeAware by reading about life on America’s reservations.  Learn More.

Admittedly, it’s hard to understand why we have a Native American Heritage Month without first understanding what heritage means to Native Americans. The first step of appreciating what Native heritage means to the first Americans – such as our culture, our food and our language – is the only way non-Natives can truly recognize Native American Heritage Month.