NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE MONTH
RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES
National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month is celebrated every November to recognize the diverse cultures and to educate the public about the heritage, history, art, and traditions of the American Indian and Alaska Native people.
LESSON PLANS
Teacher Resources from U.S. government and partner institutions
- Educator resources from Library of Congress, National Archives, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, and the Smithsonian Institution
Native Knowledge 360: Framework for Essential Understanding about American Indians
- A National Education Initiative between Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) and Native communities and educators
WHAT IS NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE HERITAGE MONTH?
November is National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. November is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of Native American people. It is also a time to acknowledge the important contributions they have made to the United States.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, in 2022, there were 574 federally recognized Indian Tribes or Nations in the United States. These indigenous people have lived in the Americas for thousands of years. You can learn more facts about Native Americans from the U.S. Census Bureau.
RESOURCES
Written/Photo/Video Resources
- Share America article – America’s first Native American Cabinet secretary
- Share America article – Native Americans protect heritage, connect visitors to nature at U.S. parks
- Share America article – 21st Century Native Americans tell their stories
- Share America article – Words and Names that come from Native Americans
- GPA Photo Archive – National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
AmSpaces Collections
More Resources
- The U.S. National Park Service offers historical information about American Indians and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
- The Burke Museum gives important tips for teaching about Native peoples
FILM RECOMMENDATIONS
- Film is free on Kanopy (through e-LibraryUSA)
- 1 hour – Documentary invites viewers into the lives of contemporary Native American role models living in the midwestern United States
- Movie is covered under MPLC agreement; PG-13; Post will need to procure film on own
- 1 hour 29 mins – The film is unique as an all-Native American production, where two American Indian teenagers go on a journey and learn more about their cultural identity.
- Movie Programming Kit
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND RESOURCES
- White House Proclamation
- Native American Indian Facts
- Scholastic: An Overview of Native American History
Many U.S. universities offer Native American Studies Programs. Connect interested students with EducationUSA to help them find out more about these programs and institutions!
*Post will need to procure this film. The Office of American Spaces does not endorse all movies as they may not be appropriate for all audiences. Coordinators should screen the films ahead of showing them. Here’s a link with more information on showing movies at American Spaces.
The views expressed in these links and resources do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. government.
Updated May 2024
