November is federally acknowledged as Nationwide Native American Heritage Month (NNAHM). Throughout this month, American Indian and Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) are honored and celebrated for his or her wealthy and diverse cultures, traditions, historical past, and societal contributions. NNAHM provides us a chance to develop into extra educated about Native Individuals, enhance our data of distinctive challenges confronted by this inhabitants, and higher perceive how historic trauma—comparable to colonization and genocide—has impacted Native peoples.
Temporary Historical past
In 1990, a joint decision was handed by Congress and signed into regulation by the late President George H. W. Bush declaring November Native American Indian Heritage Month. Inside this joint decision, Native residents had been acknowledged as America’s unique inhabitants who made important contributions to each america and the world, notably their prehistoric harvesting of potatoes and corn. As well as, Congress acknowledged Natives for his or her position in aiding the early European guests to North America and Founding Fathers of america. Members of the Senate and Home of Representatives believed the decision would improve shallowness, pleasure, and self-awareness amongst younger Natives. Whereas this sentiment appeared benevolent, one should additionally contemplate its Eurocentric perspective. As the unique inhabitants of North America, Tribal residents are each members of U.S. society and have been integral to its improvement.
The contributions and achievements of Native Individuals had been first acknowledged throughout Might 1916 in New York, known as American Indian Day (PDF | 120 KB). This happened as a result of efforts of Crimson Fox James (PDF | 1 MB), a member of the Blackfeet Nation, who rode from state to state on horseback searching for approval from 24 state governments for a day to honor Native Individuals. In 1976, President Gerald Ford proclaimed October 10-16 “Native American Consciousness Week” (PDF | 236 KB). A decade later, Congress handed S.J. Res. 390 (PDF | 92 KB), petitioning that the president name November 23-30 “American Indian Week.” In subsequent years Congress continued this observe, declaring one week through the autumn months “Native American Indian Heritage Week.”
Congress finally selected November because the month to honor Native Individuals because the month concludes their conventional harvest season and customarily is a time of celebration and giving thanks. In October of this 12 months, the Biden Administration formally declared November NNAHM.
Celebrating Nationwide Native American Heritage Month
As of 2021, there are 574 federally acknowledged Tribes in america. Nonetheless, quite a few others are nonetheless advocating for recognition. Though many Native Individuals nonetheless reside on reservations, roughly 71 % stay in metropolitan areas. So far, Tribal residents represent about 2.5 % of the full U.S. inhabitants. Regardless of American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) dwelling among the many bigger society, a lot of their historical past has been forgotten (PDF | 48 KB) or ignored. For this very purpose, NNAHM is of the utmost significance. This month can function a reminder of America’s indigenous folks, and even present many with a brand new understanding.
There are a number of methods to have fun, honor, or observe NNAHM. You could contemplate studying extra about Native American cultures, together with wealthy and numerous tales of custom and resiliency.
If you’re within the Washington, DC space you possibly can go to the Nationwide Museum of the American Indian and the Nationwide Native American Veterans Memorial. This memorial honors the army service of AI/ANs, who collectively serve within the armed forces at a price of 5 occasions the nationwide common.
You may as well study extra about present points confronted by this inhabitants. In accordance with SAMHSA’s 2020 NSDUH report (PDF | 3.6 MB), Native Individuals aged 18 and older skilled larger charges of great suicidal ideas inside the previous 12 months (5.6 %) and had been likelier to make suicide plans prior to now 12 months (1.8 %) when in comparison with different racial or ethnic teams.
As well as, quite a few Native individuals are murdered and go lacking every year. Their plight has been known as the Lacking and Murdered Indigenous Peoples disaster. Substance use is also reportedly larger amongst Native youth on reservations. Discovering methods to higher perceive these points and greatest assist Native Individuals would show most helpful.
This inhabitants additionally faces distinctive issues concerning stereotyping and cultural disrespect. The names {of professional} sports activities groups have mocked Native American phenotypical options and heritage. At this time makeshift headdresses or struggle bonnets are worn by and bought to non-Tribal members, and are thought-about extremely offensive to many Native peoples.
To higher perceive the significance of sure cultural costume, traditions, and customs, NNAHM may be spent attending Native American-centered occasions, comparable to Powwows or studying books written by Native American authors. You possibly can additionally assist Native American-owned companies.
NNAHM supplies all Individuals with a chance to expertise and honor the richness of the Native American cultural heritage.
SAMHSA Sources
One other avenue price pursuing is SAMHSA’s Tribal Affairs. Highlighted listed here are SAMHSA’s efforts to companion with Native Individuals, which incorporates Tribal Session and funding alternatives to higher help Native residents. Furthermore, SAMHSA supplies numerous assets to assist this inhabitants in areas comparable to suicide prevention, violence prevention, psychological well being, and substance use. Lastly, SAMHSA supplies an American Indian and Alaska Native Tradition Card, which seeks to reinforce cultural competence when serving Native peoples. This can be a free, downloadable publication on the SAMHSA Retailer.
