Welcome to Native American Heritage Month!

Each November, Native peoples are more prominent in the news. We can attribute this attention not only to Native American Heritage Month and school curriculum but also the anniversary of the first Thanksgiving and harvest’s end. With the broadcast of We Shall Remain on PBS stations this past April and May, students as well as library patrons may have even more questions about Native history and peoples today.

There are many ways in which to celebrate and discuss Native American history and contemporary culture using resources found on the American Indian Experience database. Instructors and librarians can organize discussions and exhibits focusing on local or regional tribal history using the Tribal Communities Resource. What historical events took place in your community or state? Are there Native archaeological sites in your region? What relationship does your area have with the fur trade, specific battles involving Native Americans, or mound-building cultures?

Instructors, librarians, and students can consult with local tribal members or organizations to arrange events celebrating Native American Heritage Month. A display of photographs or such artifacts as garments or musical instruments could be organized. Exhibitions of local traditional artisans as well as contemporary Native artists can be held; these artists can also hold discussions regarding their work. Discussions featuring the writings of Native authors including Louise Erdrich, Linda Hogan, and Sherman Alexie can also be held.

Whether you plan a book talk, host a discussion, or organize a full scale cultural festival, the American Indian Experience will provide you with content to help prepare your graphics and text and lead your patrons and students to introductory resources as well as materials useful in in-depth personal study. Whether you are new to reading about Native peoples, or have been a student for some length of time, this month is the time to join with American Indians to celebrate and commemorate their cultures.

One of the easiest ways to mark Native American Heritage Month is to note the entries on the homepage for “This Day in North American Indian History.” These events can be noted on websites, read over class or campus daily announcements, or projected onto classroom walls. Additionally, PBS has a We Shall Remain event kit to plan public programs on American Indian topics, and the Library of Congress hosts the official Native American Heritage Month website, where you can search for images and other resources pertaining to Native American history.

If you are preparing material for a class or course, your first stop in American Indian Experience is to browse the lesson plans. Click on the Lesson Plans link on the right-hand side of the homepage. There you’ll find links to two dozen lesson plans, each of which offer student activities ranging from debate questions to topics for essays, writing memories, or writing and producing plays. Each Lesson Plan includes links to relevant content in the American Indian Experience.

Finally, follow the structure of American Indian Experience to help students learn how to cite source, learn about primary resources, and trace subjects to content within publications. Join me in celebrating other aspects of National Native American Heritage Month. Watch for the next blog entry to provide tips on locating material on a topic of deep meaning to Native peoples and of interest to everyone: powwows.