Native American Heritage Month

November 1- November 30, Annually

Native American Heritage Month, observed every November in the United States, is a dedicated time to celebrate the histories, diverse cultures, and enduring contributions of American Indian and Alaska Native peoples. The origins of this national recognition trace back more than a century, with significant advocacy efforts starting in the early 1900s, including New York becoming the first state to declare an "American Indian Day" in 1916. The modern, month-long observance was officially established in 1990. The month is vital not only for honoring the achievements of Native peoples, but also as an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing struggle for sovereignty, justice, and preservation of Native American culture.

‍

In New York City, Native American Heritage Month carries particular local significance, as the city sits on Lenapehoking, the traditional homeland of the Lenape people. Institutions like the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Lower Manhattan host special events, while city parks and cultural centers feature historical walks, workshops on traditional crafts like corn husk doll-making, and discussions about local tribal history, such as that of the Shinnecock Nation on Long Island. These events emphasize the ongoing connections between the land, Native traditions, and contemporary Indigenous life, providing a crucial opportunity for all New Yorkers to learn about the city's origins and its vibrant Indigenous future.

Thanksgiving

Fourth Thursday every November

Thanksgiving in the United States is commonly traced to a three-day harvest celebration held in 1621 at Plymouth Colony, when English Pilgrims and members of the Wampanoag Nation shared a meal commemorating the settlers’ survival after a harsh winter. This feast was rooted in gratitude for a successful harvest, made possible by the knowledge and generosity of Native Americans who taught the newcomers how to cultivate local crops and fish.

‍

The popular retelling of this event often simplifies a much more complex history. While the 1621 gathering represented a brief moment of peace, it occurred within a broader context of colonization that eventually brought suffering and devastation to Indigenous peoples. In the decades and centuries that followed, Native American communities endured violence, displacement, disease, and a systematic campaign of erasure, leading scholars and Indigenous leaders today to view the Thanksgiving narrative as an incomplete and romanticized version of history.

‍

The idea of Thanksgiving as a national holiday developed over time. During the early 19th century, regional days of thanksgiving were most common in New England, though New York was among the first states outside that region to formalize the observance as a civic celebration. In the mid-1800s, writer and editor Sarah Josepha Hale led a national campaign to establish a permanent holiday. Her efforts influenced President Abraham Lincoln, who in 1863 proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to promote unity during the Civil War. Nearly eighty years later, in 1941, Congress designated the fourth Thursday in November as the official national holiday.

‍

For many Native Americans, however, Thanksgiving holds a different meaning. Since 1970, the Wampanoag people and other Indigenous groups have observed the Plymouth National Day of Mourning on the same date. This annual gathering honors the memory of Native ancestors who suffered from genocide, land theft, and displacement, while drawing attention to the continuing struggle for Indigenous rights and self-determination. It serves as a reminder that the story of Thanksgiving must also include an acknowledgment of the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization.

‍

Today, Thanksgiving offers an opportunity to reflect on gratitude in ways that are both personal and collective. Taking time to appreciate relationships, community, and stability can coexist with a commitment to learning the fuller history behind the holiday. Recognizing the contributions, resilience, and survival of Native American peoples helps ensure that our expressions of thanks are grounded in understanding, respect, and truth.