Native American Heritage Month, or American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, honors the remarkable Native Americans who have contributed to the character of our nation. Observed every November, this month is a time to rejoice in the diverse and rich cultures, age-old histories, and deeply held traditions of the Native American people, and their priceless contributions to this country.

 

Native American Month started off as an effort to get a day of appreciation and acknowledgment for the unique contributions made by the first Americans toward the establishment and growth of the United States.

 

In 1915, a plan concerning American Indian Day was formally approved in the annual Congress of the American Indian Association meeting. The president of the American Indian Association, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, called upon the country to observe this day.

 

The first time American Indian Day was declared was in May 1916. In 1990, a joint resolution was approved by George H.W. Bush, which called for November to be named Native American Heritage Month. Declarations like these have been issued since 1994, designating the month of November as the time to celebrate the culture, accomplishments, and contributions of people who were the first inhabitants of the United States.

 

To commemorate Native American Heritage Month, we encourage you to discover the Native American history in our region. Ohio is home to many internationally-recognized Native American earthworks sites, and you don’t have to travel far to experience their history.

 

Below is a list of the Native American sites within Ohio History Connection’s network that you can visit this month: