The contributions of the Indigenous people in the United States have been tremendous and it is most reasonable to honor them. In addition to recognizing and paying tribute to their invaluable inputs, Native American Heritage Month presents a strategic moment to impart knowledge to the broader public regarding Indigenous tribes, fostering a heightened collective consciousness of the distinct adversities Native communities have confronted, spanning from historical to contemporary issues; and spotlighting the remarkable resilience of tribal citizens in overcoming these hurdles.
Hence this is why November, all month long, is dedicated to the celebration of Native American Heritage Month, also known as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.
Recognition of Native American contributions began in 1916 with American Indian Day, and in 1976, then-President Gerald Ford proclaimed Native American Awareness Week. Congress later designated a week in November as "Native American Indian Heritage Week."
November was the chosen month because it marks the end of the traditional harvest season, and it is the time of celebration and Thanksgiving. In 2021, the Biden Administration officially declared November as Native American Indian Heritage Month. Read more in the official proclamation.
Learn more about the many ways you can join in celebrating Native American Heritage Month this year by checking out the resources below — including reading lists, and upcoming virtual and in-person events for individuals to participate in.
- SUNY Oswego is on the ancestral land of the Haudenosaunee (pronounced: Ho-de-no-sau-nee) Confederacy. Read the SUNY Oswego Land Acknowledgment Statement.
- There was a Flags of Nations reception on Wednesday, Nov. 1, in Marano Campus Center. This ceremony recognized the addition of flags representing the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the countries of Chile, Uganda, Kazakhstan and Uruguay to the display.
- SUNY Oswego was one of the first institutions in SUNY to offer a Native American Studies program. Some classes to take this coming Spring semester are: NAS100: “Introduction to Native American Studies”; NAS340: “Native American Women”; and NAS360: “American Indian Sovereignty.”
- You can find the Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center at 6680 Onondaga Lake Parkway in Liverpool. The center and museum tell the story of the native peoples of Central New York through the lens of storytelling, wampum and sacred places.
- Visit (in person or virtually) the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in New York City. You can attend an event, visit the museum or check out any of their virtual exhibits.
- Looking for more online opportunities? Check out the New York State Museum’s virtual exhibition, "REPRESENT: Contemporary Native American Art" and the Onondaga Nation online.
- Various branches of the New York Public Library will host events for all ages throughout the month, from book clubs to movie nights, arts and crafts, and more.
Below are upcoming events to watch for and support around SUNY Oswego:
Nov. 16:
Thanksgiving Teach-In
175 Shineman Center, 4 to 5 p.m.
“Beans,” a film by Tracey Deer
175 Shineman Center, 5 p.m.
Nov. 29:
ohwáskʌ’ kaya’tuní
Legend and Workshop with Chelsea Jocko
196 Sheinman Center, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
**Limited space and materials; contact michael.chaness@oswego.edu to reserve a spot.
This month is a part of the Oz Inclusivity Playbook. Stay tuned for more events, programs and information throughout the semester and follow The Triandiflou Institute’s social media (@ozinstitute). Interested in doing an event or program next semester or also giving us feedback on any entries? Feel free to complete this form.
-- Submitted by the Triandiflou Institute for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Transformative Practice