About Native American Heritage Month
November is a month to celebrate the culture, traditions and contributions of Native Nations. It is also an opportune time to become more educated about the tribes of Native People and their individuality, and to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native People have faced both historically and in the present.
Did you know...
- There are 574 federally recognized Native Nations.
- There are two federally recognized tribes in Massachusetts: the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribes.
- There is also one state recognized tribe in Massachusetts: the Nipmuc Nation.
- Each tribe has its own constitution, laws, elections, and infrastructure.
- The federal government recognizes tribe sovereignty through treaties.
Each year, the Native Governance Center holds an event to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. This year’s event, Indigenous Representation Matters, will be held virtually on Tuesday, November 8 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time (note that the registration says 3:00 p.m. as the start time, but that is central time). Join the NGC to hear from Indigenous changemakers who are leaders in their fields: Jaime Pinkham, Nez Perce Tribe, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works; Rosalie Fish, Cowlitz Tribe, NCAA D1 Athlete and Murdered & Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW) Activist; and Mathew Holding Eagle III, MHA Nation, Minnesota Public Radio News Reporter.
National Day of Mourning and What It Means to Native Nations
The National Day of Mourning is held the same day as Thanksgiving each year to honor the ancestors of Native People and acknowledge their modern-day struggles. Many Native People view Thanksgiving as a reminder of the loss of their people and lands as well as the condemnation of their culture. It’s important to note that Native People do not have an issue with Thanksgiving as a holiday; rather the National Day of Mourning is a way to raise awareness of these impacts to the Native People and to acknowledge the harsher realities of the traditional Thanksgiving story.
Since 1970, Native People have gathered on Cole’s Hill, a burial ground across the street from Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts and marched through the town to commemorate this day. This year, the event will take place on Thursday, November 24 at 12:00 noon and is open to the public. Details can be found in the National Day of Mourning Orientation Guide.
Ways to Recognize National Day of Mourning
The United American Indians of New England (UAINE) has identified 7 ways you can stand in solidarity with UAINE and the National Day of Mourning if you are unable to attend the live event:
- Watch the National Day of Mourning livestream from Plymouth.
- Help to spread the word about National Day of Mourning on social media.
- Donate to UAINE if you can.
- Use Thanksgiving as a ‘teachable moment’ and educate family and friends.
- Spread the truth and give the “hidden” story of Thanksgiving a human face by arranging for a member of UAINE to give a talk at a school, church or community center near you.
- Help to champion Indigenous voices by supporting Indigenous struggles.
- Help to combat the climate crisis and the destruction of the Earth by supporting Indigenous water and land protectors.
Read their How to support NDOM flyer for detailed info on each way to recognize the event.
Additional Resources and an Upcoming Event Forthcoming
A Native American Heritage Month and National Day of Mourning sub-committee has been formed this year. We are planning an event for early December to give employees an open space to talk about everything you’ve learned and any questions you might have. We will be following up in future communications with more resources and information to continue to raise awareness.