Native American Heritage Month 2023

Native American Heritage Month (November)
What started at the turn of the twentieth century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the Native Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S. has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose. This commemorative month aims to provide a platform for native people to share their culture, traditions, music, crafts, dance, and ways and concepts of life. This gives Native people the opportunity to express to their community and state officials their concerns and solutions for building bridges of understanding and friendship in their local area. Past programs have included public lectures, film screenings, and storytelling.

Native American is the term most often used to refer to the descendants of the indigenous groups that occupy the continental United States of America and Alaska.

American Indian, Indian, NDN, Indigenous, Indigenous Americans, and First Americans are other terms that are often used, sometimes interchangeably, by both scholars and community members. It’s important to note that there is no general consensus amongst Native Americans about what term is most appropriate, so when in doubt, just ask.  

Indigenous groups in other parts of North and South America use other terms for self-identification i.e. First Nations (Canada), Alaska Native (Alaska), Taíno (Caribbean), etc.  

While Native American and the other aforementioned identifiers are used as umbrella terms, it is important to note that the peoples who these terms identify are not homogenous and practice unique cultures, speak hundreds of languages, and have varying world views. When possible, it is most appropriate to identify Native Americans with regard to their specific tribal affiliation i.e., Cherokee, Navajo, Lumbee, etc. This combats the notion that indigenous peoples are monolithic and honors the diversity within the population. 

Resources on the terms:

• Coming Soon

Coming Soon

• Submitted resources
  • An explanation of a model of leadership from a Native lens
  • The September DEI Grand Rounds for the Duke Rehabilitation Services was presented by Duke DPT alum Genna Lockler '23. Her presentation was titled "Healthcare in Native American Populations Through a Personal Lens," and she shared this resources document with [Duke DPT/Rehab]that included media and books/texts/articles
  • The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) is excited to announce the Native American/Indigenous Muslim Stories (NAIMS) project. The NAIMS project, funded by a generous grant from the Building Bridges program at the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, will amplify the vital and too little-known stories of Native American and Indigenous Muslims, and outline their struggles, strengths, and unique needs.
  • NCAIHC Heritage Month Toolkit - November 2023
• Wekit (pronounced "way-kith")
• The Center for Multicultural Affairs & the Identity and Cultural Centers
• Duke Native American/Indigineous Alumni

• Native American Indigenous Student Alliance (NAISA)
• Native American Graduate and Professional Student Alliance (NAGPSA)
• Native American Law Students Association (NALSA)
• Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc. (APiO)
• Duke University’s Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanic and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)

The organizations listed here aren't the only Native American identified/affiliated organizations! Find these organizations on Duke Groups or Instagram! Want your organization to be added to this list or need to make an edit? Please email a.espaillat@duke.edu.

Thank you to our contributors who shared events, resources, and more. We look forward to the calendar release!

Cherokee translation thanks to https://language.cherokee.org/word-list/

Duke University Native American Heritage Month logo, creative direction by Harley Locklear and Alex Espaillat, designed by Alex Espaillat

Stay tuned