National American Indian Heritage Month

 
A dancer at a Laramie, Wyoming, powwow

The first “American Indian Day” was celebrated in May 1916 in New York, but it was not until 1990 that a month-long recognition of Native American heritage was instituted. That year, President George H. W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution to designate November as National American Indian Heritage Month to celebrate the history, art, and traditions of the First Americans. The extent of resources available online has expanded exponentially over the years. Listed below are Web sites containing educational resources to enrich your discovery of Native American heritage.

Image credit: AP Photo/ Laramie Boomerang, Ben Wolosszyn

Related Links

• National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI)
  Pay a virtual visit to the National Museum of the American Indian’s three dozen online exhibitions.
• Infinity of Nations
  “Infinity of Nations” features the NMAI’s art and history collections categorized by geographic/culture area.
• Native American Cultures
  Videos, biographies, accounts of historical events, classroom study guides, and more—from History.com.
• American Indian Heritage Teaching Resources
  The Smithsonian Institution has a wealth of online resources for exploring the history and cultural heritage of Native Americans.
• Native American Heritage Month 2011
  This “clearinghouse” Web site includes links to resources from the Library of Congress, National Archives, National Gallery of Art, National Endowment for the Humanities, and National Park Service.
• Smithsonian Magazine
  This special issue of Smithsonian magazine focuses on Native American heritage, including the Battle of Little Bighorn, Seminole leader Osceola, Native American influences on pop music, spectacular Native American quilts, and the story of the “Great Smoke Conference” of 1851. 
• Native American Affairs
  This site, hosted by the Department of Defense, celebrates the contributions of Native Americans to the U.S. armed forces.
• Native Youth: Connecting Cultures and Wellness
  The Indian Health Service provides information about events and ceremonies happening throughout the month; download posters; includes a listing of tribal groups.
• Places Reflecting America’s Diverse Cultures
  This Web site of the National Park Service features images and stories from throughout the nation’s park system.
• American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) Data and Links
  The Census Bureau’s latest information on Native American tribal populations and organizations.