Native American Heritage Month
History
National Native American Heritage Month celebrates the culture, contributions and heritage of Native Americans. For many years, Native Americans and others proposed that a special day be set aside to honor Native Americans. The efforts to establish a day of recognition has resulted in a month being designated for the purpose. Since 1976, the President of the United States and Congressional resolutions have proclaimed a day, week or month of recognition.
Native American Heritage Month Book Talks
2022 Book Talks
Week 4: When My Brother Was an Aztec
Recommended for adults.
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Week 3: Winter Counts
Recommended for adults.
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Week 2: A Snake Falls to Earth
Recommended for ages12 and up.
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Week 1: We Dream Medicine Dreams
Recommended for ages 5- 8.
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Past Book Talks
tawâw: Progressive Indigenous Cuisine
Recommended for adults.
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Living Nations, Living Words
Recommended for adults.
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Request the book
Healer of the Water Monster
Recommended for ages 8 – 12.
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Request the book
News from Native California
Recommended for adults.
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Activity Ideas
Yankton Dakota Artist Mary Sully
Yankton Dakota artist Mary Sully (1896-1963) was a largely self-taught artist known for her modern abstract style of symmetrical geometrical shapes. Create your own inspired artwork with tissue paper using this tutorial video. Contact your local library for related in-person programs and pick up a kit at participating locations. For adults.
Additional Activities
American Indian Resource Center
The American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) at Huntington Park Library was established in 1979 to address informational needs of American Indians in Los Angeles County and to make information about them available to the larger community. Help us transcribe letters from our collection that were recently digitized.
Native American Heritage Month Virtual Film Festival
Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World (NR)
Recommended for ages 13 and up.
Watch here | Download Viewer’s Guide
Activist. Feminist. Cherokee Chief (NR)
Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Watch here | Download Viewer’s Guide
How People Got Fire (NR)
Recommended for a general audience.
Watch here | Download Viewer’s Guide
Barking Water (NR)
Recommended for an adult audience.
Watch here | Download Viewer’s Guide
Additional Information
Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month – Library of Congress website includes the history of the establishment of Native American Heritage Month.
Census Facts, Native American Heritage Month 2022
National Museum of the American Indian – Part of the Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) cares for one the world’s largest collection of Native artifacts. NMAI operates 3 facilities and a large outreach department that includes websites, traveling exhibitions, and community programs.
Local Resources
Short Overview of California Indian History – Written by Professor Edward D. Castillo, Cahuilla-Luiseno, for the California Native American Heritage Commission.
Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission – The mission of Los Angeles City/County Native American Commission (NAIC) is two fold: 1. increase the acquisition and local application of federal funds and 2. represent the special interests and concerns of Native Americans in the Los Angeles City and County. Visitors to the NAIC website can connect to local tribal governments, regional Native American organizations, and various federal and state departments.
UCLA Mapping Indigenous LA
Other Resources
Conversations: Land Acknowledgements
Indigenous Digital Archive’s Treaties Explorer
Native Knowledge 360° – For teachers and students, Native Knowledge 360° incorporate Native perspectives on Native American history and cultures.
