Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month was first declared by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. Though the initial resolution did not automatically renew, every November from 1994 onwards has been declared Native American Heritage Month. During this time, Native American advocacy organizations and the United States government work to preserve Native American culture for future generations. They educate students and adults about Native American history, particularly the important contributions Native Americans have made to the United States.

The month is also meant to educate people about the struggles faced by Native Americans, both in modern times and throughout history. This includes the elevated rates of violence and substance abuse on many Native American reservations. It also includes the complex history between the Native American tribes and the United States government.

Background

The United States government recognizes the existence of 574 modern Native American tribes within its borders. Federally recognized Native American tribes are not directly under the United States government. Instead, they are considered sovereign nations, negotiating with the government. The legal agreements between the tribes and the United States government are complex, with hundreds of binding treaties dating back centuries. In 1924, Congress passed the Indian Citizenship Act, which extended American citizenship to all US-born Native Americans. Prior to the passage of this act, some Native Americans belonged to tribes that were not bound by a federal agreement and were left without American citizenship. These Native Americans are considered to have dual citizenship, belonging to both their tribe and the United States of America.

The indigenous peoples of North America and the United States government have had a controversial history stretching back centuries. Some Native American peoples sought to ally themselves with the US government, while the United States drove many others off their tribal lands. Despite the fact that some Native Americans assisted the United States, eventually the US government took almost all Native American territory.

In the past, white settlers and the US government committed many crimes against the Native Americans. The government repeatedly failed to honor treaties, forcing the Native Americans to sign lesser deals with the threat of military force. They pushed Native American tribes from their ancestral lands and forced them to live on reservations. From 1609 to 1890, Native Americans and militaries from both the British colonies and the United States faced off in a series of battles collective known as the American Indian Wars. Large numbers of Native Americans were killed in these battles.

Additionally, the American government forced Native American tribes to abandon their cultures and assimilate into American culture. Tens of thousands of Native American children were forced to attend specialized boarding schools. While residing within these schools, the children were not allowed to speak their native languages, use their traditional names, or share their culture in any way. Deviance from these rules was strictly punished, sometimes resulting in the deaths of the students. By funding these schools, the government intended to wipe out Native American culture. Over time, this resulted in the loss of Native American history, language, and cultural practices.

Overview

Despite these abuses, significant numbers of Native Americans have fought for the United States in the nation’s wars, including the Revolutionary War. Twenty-nine Native Americans were awarded the Medal of Honor for their service to the United States. In 1924, Congress passed the Indian Citizenship Act, which extended American citizenship to all US-born Native Americans. Prior to the passage of this act, some Native Americans belonged to tribes that were not bound by a federal agreement and were left without American citizenship.

In order to recognize the contributions that Native Americans have made to the United States, President George H.W. Bush signed a joint Congressional resolution declaring November 1990 National American Indian Heritage Month. The resolution did not ensure that any subsequent years would include a National American Indian Heritage Month. However, similar resolutions have been passed annually since 1994. Though the resolutions have periodically changed the naming of the month, they all serve to dedicate time and attention to Native Americans.

Native American Heritage Month works to educate citizens of the United States on both the accomplishments and the struggles of Native American people. It attempts to undo some of the damage done by past American administrations, preserving Native American culture instead of diminishing it. Common educational topics include historic cultural sites sacred to Native American peoples, the history of local tribal groups, and the traditional artwork of the various tribes.

Many organizations work to educate people about the centuries of interactions between the tribal governments and the United States. These include the various treaties signed by both nations in peacetime, as well as abuses such as the forced match of southern tribes known as the Trail of Tears and the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre. Others teach about Native Americans who served in the US government, such as Ben Nighthorse Campbell. Campbell is a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and a former US Senator. He was the third Native American senator and the first Native American to chair the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Native American Heritage Month also raises awareness of the struggles still faced by modern day Native Americans. Many Native Americans are killed in unsolved murders each year on reservations. The situation has been named the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples crisis. Native Americans living on reservations also experience higher rates of substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. By raising awareness of these issues, Native American advocacy organizations hope that more governmental resources might be allocated towards potential solutions.

Bibliography

Alvarez, Beatrice. “30 Stories for 30 Days of Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month.” PBS, 1 Nov. 2021, www.pbs.org/articles/30-stories-for-30-days-of-native-american-and-alaska-native-heritage-month. Accessed 1 May 2024.

“Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month.” United States Senate, 2022, www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/American‗Indian‗Heritage‗Month.htm. Accessed 1 May 2024.

“National Native American Heritage Month.” National Congress of American Indians, 2023, www.ncai.org/initiatives/native-american-heritage-month. Accessed 1 May 2024.

“National Native American Heritage Month.” U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Affairs, 2023, www.bia.gov/as-ia/opa/national-native-american-heritage-month. Accessed 1 May 2024.

“Native American Heritage Month.” National Archives, 28 Nov. 2023, www.archives.gov/news/topics/native-american-heritage-month. Accessed 1 May 2023.

Vergun, David “DOD Honors Native Americans and Their Many Contributions to the Nation.” U.S. Department of Defense, 1 Nov. 2021, www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/Story/Article/2825658/dod-honors-native-americans-and-their-many-contributions-to-the-nation/. Accessed 1 May 2024.