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5 Ways to Celebrate National Native American Heritage Month
Categories: Events | Posted: November 3, 2021
Did you know that November is National Native American Heritage Month? This month is a time to celebrate and appreciate Indigenous peoples’ resiliency, history, culture, and traditions. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are about 4.5 million Native Americans and Alaska Natives in the United States today. Georgia has a rich Native American history, with historical sites spread across the state. In addition to visiting these sites, here are some other ways you can honor Native American Heritage Month.
Visit a Native American museum exhibit or cultural center.
Explore the incredible art, music, and the historical and contemporary influence of the Creeks and Cherokees at the Native Lands exhibit at the Atlanta History Center. If you’d rather keep it virtual, PBS is spotlighting Native American heritage all month long!
Explore authentic Native American cuisine.
Try a new recipe and let your taste buds come alive! Decolonized diets are popular among native people and have many health benefits. You might even start a new tradition and add an American Indian dish to your Thanksgiving menu. From Kohlrabi and Apple Slaw and Grilled Corn Salad to Blue Cornbread and Sioux Indian Pudding, experience the flavorsome cuisine of Native Americans.
Celebrate Native film and performance art.
Watch powerful stories unfold and celebrate the best of Native film. Tune in and watch the Native Cinema Showcase by the National Museum of the American Indian. This year’s annual celebration is November 12-18, 2021. Featured films include Waikiki, Beans, The Song of Butterflies, and What Happened to the Bees?.
Plant native plants and flowers and connect with the land.
Spend time appreciating and caring for the earth. You can plant native trees, plants, or flowers in your backyard or a local community garden and learn about Native Americans’ reverence for mother earth. A simple search online can help you find plants native to your area.
Visit historic Native American heritage sites and learn about the Native tribes in your area.
The Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and the Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe are two tribes currently in Georgia. Take some time to explore past and current native tribes in Georgia online or at your local library. Plus, Georgia has many great parks and sites that chronicle the stories of Native Americans in the area. You can take a day trip or go on a camping adventure! Here are a few places around Georgia:
Be sure to take advantage of the many opportunities right here in Georgia to explore and honor the culture and contributions of Native Americans this month.
