Native American Heritage Month Articles

Since 1990, November has been designated as Native American Heritage Month to celebrate Native people and their contributions to society. However, leaders with the American Indian College Fund are concerned that President Trump’s newly formed proclamation that November will also be considered National American History and Founders Month may divert attention from Native issues and undermine the experiences and role of Native populations in this country’s history.

Since the early 1990s, November has been set aside to recognize the significant contributions of first Americans to the establishment and growth of the United States.
For us at the American Indian College Fund, Native American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate our students’ successes, their victories, and their contributions.

Recently, I’ve been reflecting on how important it is to be able to identify myself using terms that are personal to me; and the impact that has for all of us in the way we feel self-confidence and pride in our individuality. Perhaps you define yourself by the job you do or the language you speak. Or maybe you identify yourself by your skin color, sexual orientation, or what part of the world you grew up in.

Diné College is a shining of example of how tribal colleges provide a high-quality education while serving as the caretakers of their tribes’ cultures. The Ned A. Hatathli Cultural Center Museum at Diné College received the Museum Excellence Award from the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM) for expanding its museum and serving as an outstanding example of how Indigenous archives, libraries, museums, and individuals contribute to the vitality and culture sovereignty of Native Nations.