Honoring Native American & Indigenous Heritage Month: Celebrating Roots and Resilience
This November, we honor the first peoples and the original stewards of America.
Long before boundaries and names were drawn, Native nations cultivated the earth, nurtured its balance, and built thriving communities rooted in wisdom, respect, and harmony with nature.
Native American Heritage Month is not just a celebration. It’s a remembrance and recognition of resilience. It’s a time to honor the traditions, languages, and contributions of Indigenous peoples who shaped this nation’s very foundation. Their deep relationship with the land reminds us of the sacred responsibility we all share in caring for it.
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
To celebrate Native American Heritage Month is to acknowledge truth: America’s story did not begin with colonization, but with the Native peoples who owned, cultivated, and cherished this land for generations. Their legacy is woven into our history, art, governance, and spirit as a nation.
This month stands as a testament to endurance, cultural pride, and the unbroken strength of Native communities. May we not only remember, but also learn, honor, and amplify their voices today and always.
Native American Legacy
Native influence can be seen everywhere. From art, music, and storytelling to cuisine, sports (they invented lacrosse), their deep spiritual connection to the land remains eternal.
Today, more than 9 million Native Americans and Alaska Natives live across the United States, representing over 500 federally recognized tribes, each with its own distinct languages, customs, and histories.
Too many Native communities were displaced from their original homelands, yet their resilience and cultural vibrancy continue to enrich our shared story.
Understanding Historical Trauma and Healing Forward
The concept of “historical trauma”, also known as intergenerational trauma, helps explain how the pain caused by colonization, forced relocation, and the boarding school era still affects many Indigenous families today.
When one generation experiences trauma from being separated from family, losing their land, or being punished for speaking their language, it can ripple through future generations.
Research shows that parents and grandparents who were forced to attend boarding schools often experienced distress that influenced their children and grandchildren’s mental health contributing to higher risks of generational trauma.
Unfortunately, the effects of historical trauma are reflected in current health disparities:
- 10% of Native Americans have a substance use disorder
- 4% have an illicit drug use disorder
- 7.1% have an alcohol use disorder
- Nearly 25% report binge drinking in the past month
- Native Americans report higher rates of drug use than any other ethnic group
- Native Americans and Alaska Natives have the highest suicide rate of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S.
Despite these challenges, strong protective factors including cultural connection, sense of belonging, Indigenous identity, and family support, can make a meaningful, life changing difference.
Honoring the Truth and Celebrating Resilience
From forced relocation and boarding schools to environmental exploitation and ongoing violence, the impact of colonization runs deep. The U.S. Department of the Interior has documented 1,500 missing persons and 2,700 unsolved murders among Native Americans and Alaska Natives. Scholars estimate that as many as 40,000 Native children died in government and church-run boarding schools.
This month, let’s remember both the painful truths and injustices as well as the powerful resilience of Native American and Indigenous peoples, and celebrate the voices leading the way forward.
How to Connect and Honor Native Heritage Beyond November
Honoring Native American Heritage Month doesn’t end with awareness. It begins with action and connection. Here are some meaningful ways to continue learning and supporting Native communities all year long:
Learn from Native voices
Read books, watch films, or listen to podcasts by Indigenous authors and creators. Their stories are the most authentic way to learn.
Attend cultural events
Many local tribes host powwows, storytelling nights, or educational events open to the public. Show up respectfully, listen, and learn.
Support Native-owned businesses and artists
Buy directly from Indigenous creators or verified Native brands to help sustain cultural expression and economic independence.
Acknowledge the land you’re on
Learn which Native nation’s land you live on. Resources like Native Land Digital can help you identify and honor those roots.
Educate others
Share what you learn about Native history, language, and culture. Awareness builds empathy. And empathy leads to change.
Be an ally.
Advocate for Native rights, representation, and environmental protection. Supporting Indigenous-led organizations is one of the most impactful ways to make a difference.
“Wopila” (gratitude) for all.
This month, and every month, may we honor the first peoples of this land. Not just in celebration, but in partnership. Their wisdom continues to guide us toward balance, sustainability, community and connection with our Mother Earth. “Mitakuye Oyasin” – We are all connected
