Celebrating Native American Heritage

Wharton Field House
Wharton Field House

 

Explore stories celebrating and honoring the heritage and lives of Native Americans—throughout history and today.

After centuries of encroachment, warfare and neglect, Native Americans remain a vital force in the life and culture of America.

November is Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The celebration of Indigenous cultures began as a week-long celebration in 1986, when President Reagan proclaimed the week of November 23-30, 1986 as "American Indian Week." Every President since 1995 has issued annual proclamations designating the month of November as the time to celebrate the cultures, accomplishments, and contributions of Native American and Alaska Native communities.

Cara Romero: Following the Light

Contemporary fine art photographer Cara Romero's work captures Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural memory, collective history, and lived experiences from a Native American female perspective.

Native America: Solar Warrior

Henry Red Cloud is creating a sustainable solar powered housing for the Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation using modern materials but based on the design of traditional tipi communities.

We Shall Remain: A Native History of Utah

This powerful five-part-series on the five American Indian Tribes of Utah. This episode examines the history of the Goshute indigenous peoples who have called Utah home for generations. Explore more

Hill High Low

Part of ReelNative, a short film project that gives voice to Native Americans across the country. Michael Little gives us a glimpse into his life as an artist in Phoenix, Arizona.

Navajo Artist

Part of ReelNative, a short film project that gives voice to Native Americans across the country. Meet Ryan Singer, a Navajo artist from Arizona shares his experience as an artist.

Native Voices
INTERACTIVE

Listen to Native Voices

Explore an interactive map, which features speakers of Native languages in their own voices from across North America.

Explore the Interactive

Zitkála-Šá (Yankton Sioux)

Gertrude Simmons Bonnin was born in 1876 on the Yankston Reservation, but later renamed herself Zitkála-Šá which means "red bird" in the Lakota language.

Maria Tallchief (Osage)

The first American to dance with the Paris Opera Ballet was the magnetic ballerina Maria Tallchief. (1978)

The Sacred Cypher

Indigenous dancers from the many different tribes come together to tell their stories through the art of dance.

Billy Luther (Hopi, Navajo, Laguna Pueblo)

Seattle-based chef Hillel Echo-Hawk focuses on traditional Pawnee foods.

Bunky Echo-Hawk (Pawnee)

How the reality of Native Americans inspires Pawnee artist Bunky Echo-Hawk's work.

Susan La Flesche Picotte (Omaha)

Susan La Flesche Picotte became the first American Indian woman to graduate from medical school, and is notable for founding an independently funded hospital on the Omaha reservation in Nebraska.

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