Honoring Native American & Indigenous Heritage Month

What is Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month?

Each November, we take time to recognize Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month, a national observance officially recognized by federal law since 1990.

This month honors the rich cultures, achievements, and lasting contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples throughout the United States. It’s an opportunity to celebrate their resilience, creativity, and ongoing influence across every facet of American life.

Our communities on Native land

As we reflect on this month, we acknowledge the Native lands on which our senior living communities reside.

Recognizing this connection honors the generations of Indigenous peoples who have cared for these lands and continue to shape their stories today.

• Apache Tribes, Pueblo Tribes, and Navajo Nation: Rio Rancho, New Mexico

• Chinook Tribe: Gresham, Oregon City, and Sandy, Oregon

• Clatsop Tribe: Seaside, Oregon

• Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation: Moses Lake, Washington

• Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde: Western Oregon and parts of Washington, including La Grande, Oregon City, and Sandy, Oregon

• Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs: Bend, Oregon

• Cowlitz Tribe: St. Helens, Oregon

• Kalapuya Tribe: Portland, Oregon area / Willamette Valley

• Northwestern Shoshone: Ogden, Utah

• Omaha Tribe: Omaha, Nebraska

• Southern Paiute: St. George, Utah and Las Vegas, Nevada

• Spokane Tribe: Spokane, Washington

• Yakama Nation: Yakima, Washington

Recent notable advancements

Native American and Indigenous communities continue to lead innovation and cultural progress. Discover some of the achievements of Indigenous peoples that greatly influence today’s world.

Innovation in Science & Medicine

2021: The Cherokee Nation launched the first tribal genomic research center, advancing Native-led health science.

2021: Navajo engineers contributed to NASA’s Mars missions and astronaut suit design.

Cultural Influence is Rising

2021 and 2022: Native-produced TV series like Reservation Dogs and Dark Winds are reshaping Hollywood.

2021 and 2022: Indigenous artists and designers are making waves in fashion, music, and tech.

Reviving Language with Technology

2021: Native communities are using apps, AI, and VR to preserve endangered languages.

2022: Google and Microsoft now include Navajo and Ojibwe in translation tools.

Land Back & Legal Justice

2021-2022: The Land Back movement is returning sacred lands to Native stewardship.

2020-2023: Supreme Court rulings affirm tribal sovereignty and treaty rights in landmark cases.

Recent voices of accomplishment

From leaders to innovators in science and the arts, Native and Indigenous voices are shaping the future in powerful ways. These individuals reflect how cultural heritage and modern leadership coexist and strengthen one another.

Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo)

2021: As U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Deb is the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet Secretary. She oversees national policy on tribal lands, environmental justice, and cultural preservation.

Dr. Krystal Tsosie (Navajo Nation)

2020-present: Dr. Tsosie is a geneticist and bioethicist co-leading the first Indigenous-owned genomic research biobank. She is an advocate for Native data sovereignty and ethical AI use in health research.

Lily Gladstone (Blackfeet & Nez Perce)

2024: Lily made history in 2024 as the first Native American actor nominated for an Oscar for Killers of the Flower Moon.

Joelle Bearstail (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation)

2021-2022: Joelle is leading digital language revitalization programs using apps and VR tools for Native language immersion.

How you can engage this month

There are many ways to learn and celebrate during Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month.

• Attend a local or virtual Native Heritage Month event

• Learn about the Land Back Movement

• Support Native-owned businesses and artists

• Read books or watch films by Native creators

• Explore Native perspectives on health, climate, and community

• Keep learning by visiting AmericanIndian.si.edu, IndianCountryToday.com, or other resources

Celebrate culture and diversity

At Areté Living, we believe in creating communities where every person feels seen, valued, and respected. Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) means recognizing and honoring the histories and cultures that make up our senior living communities.

As we honor Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month, we reaffirm our dedication to listening, learning, and treating others with respect, not only this month, but all year long.

Learn and celebrate with us at AreteLiving.com/deib.