Honoring Indigenous people and land
Every November, National Native American Heritage Month celebrates the rich histories and diverse cultures of Indigenous Peoples and communities. In the United States, there are over 500 unique and distinct tribal nations as well as approximately 167 different Indigenous languages spoken across the country. It’s important to honor the realities and histories of Indigenous Peoples during this time, and year-round.
The following is a sampling of resources that honor Indigenous Peoples and their histories, culture, land, Knowledge and activism. Please add to this list and share your ideas at editor@childrenandnature.org.
Native American Heritage Month and Indigenous histories
- Native American Heritage Month: A roundup of educational resources about Indigenous peoples, Native Americans in Philanthropy
- Native American Heritage Month, National Park Service
- Native American Heritage Month official website
- 30 Stories for 30 Days of Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month, by Beatrice Alvarez, PBS
Land acknowledgements and beyond
- Whose land are you on? Interactive Native land map and teacher’s guide, Native-Land.ca
- Going Beyond Land Acknowledgments training and resources, Redbud Resource Group
- Steps to land back: Land access and cultural revitalization, Redbud Resource Group
- Learn more about rematriation and land back, Sogorea Te’ Land Trust
- Finding Nature News: A common thread: Indigenous-led foundation weaves together activism and art, climate and community, by Amelia Rhodeland, Children & Nature Network
Resources for organizations
- Native American Heritage Month Communications Toolkit, Native Americans in Philanthropy
- Research Digest: The healing power of nature for Indigenous children and youth, Children & Nature Network
- Research Digest: Indigenous studies for Native American Heritage Month, Children & Nature Network
Resources for educators
- Seeing our Native students: A guide for educators, Redbud Resource Group
- Five ways to indigenize your curricula, Redbud Resource Group
- Indigenous knowledge is often overlooked in education. But it has a lot to teach us, by Helen Thomas, EdSurge
- Giving Thanks: Telling a more complete narrative in your classroom, from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
Learn about inspirational Indigenous youth and groups
- 7 young Indigenous activists standing up for their communities, by Jackie Menjivar, DoSomething.org
- Nine Indigenous climate activists you should know about, Arcadia
- 13 young Indigenous rights activists, United Nations
- Diversify your feed: 6 more Indigenous environmental organizations you should follow, Native Americans in Philanthropy
- The resilience of Indigenous youth, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Let us be heard: Indigenous youth speak on climate justice, by Mike Givens, Cultural Survival
Other ways to think about and observe Thanksgiving
- A Racial Justice Guide to Thanksgiving, Center for Racial Justice
- Finding Nature News: Gathering in gratitude, by Francis Mendoza, Children & Nature Network
- 54th Annual National Day of Mourning, November 23, 2023, United American Indians of New England
- Talking to kids about Thanksgiving, Indianapolis Public Library
- Things every non-Native should do on Thanksgiving, HuffPost
- Should America Keep Celebrating Thanksgiving?, by Sean Sherman and Chase Iron Eyes, The Nation
Organizations and programs to support
- Center for Native American Youth — education and advocacy organization that works alongside Native youth to improve their health, safety, and well-being
- Redbud Resource Group — helps improve public health outcomes for Native American communities through education, research, and community partnership
- Sogorea Te’ Land Trust — an urban Indigenous women-led land trust that facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people through the practices of rematriation, cultural revitalization, and land restoration
- NAYA Family Center — provides culturally specific programs and services that guide Native youth and families in the direction of personal success and balance through cultural empowerment
- International Indigenous Youth Council — organize youth through education, spiritual practices and civic engagement to create positive change for sustainability and environmental protection
- Native Youth Climate Adaptation Leadership Congress — aims to support future conservation leaders with the tools and skills needed to address environmental change and conservation challenges through an annual training event
- Her Many Voices Foundation — provides resources and practical education for women, children and Mother Earth, with a focus on Indigenous communities
- IllumiNative — a Native woman-led racial and social justice organization dedicated to increasing the visibility of—and challenging the narrative about—Native peoples
- Indigenous Climate Action: Youth Leadership — Indigenous-led organization investing in Indigenous Youth for a sustainable future for humanity and the Earth
- Cultural Survival: Indigenous Youth Fellowships — supports young Indigenous leaders in developing media skills to champion self-governance, restore ecosystems and steward cultural heritage
- Earth Guardians: Indigenous Youth Committee — Indigenous youth leaders provide training to Indigenous peers in this youth-centric environmental activist organization
Editor’s note: This post was originally published in November 2022. It was updated and republished in November 2023 with new resources.
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