Throughout the month of November, the National Museum of the American Indian will host a variety of free public programs, including lectures, theatrical performances, art demonstrations, films, and more in celebration of American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. For additional heritage month information, including educator resources and a comprehensive listing of heritage month events across the Smithsonian, please visit www.smithsonianeducation.org.
On November 27th, Americans from a variety of cultural backgrounds will
celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving. November is also American Indian
& Alaska Native Heritage Month and for the first time, November 28th
marks Native American Heritage Day, which was signed into public law on
October 8, 2008. Thanksgiving—with its idyllic images of Native people celebrating the harvest with European newcomers—is a holiday season in which American Indians are at once reflected upon, celebrated, and, quite often, unintentionally stereotyped and misunderstood.The error in these conceived images of American Indians giving thanks once a year with Pilgrims is that for many American Indians, giving thanks is not just another holiday, it is a traditional way of life. Gratitude for the earth and the gifts it provides is expressed daily by many Native people.
During this Thanksgiving season, the National Museum of the American Indian renews its resolve to educate the public about American Indian cultures and values, destroy stereotypes, and correct historical inaccuracies in an effort to celebrate understanding. We pledge to honor the American Indian tradition of giving thanks every day—for our friends, our supporters, and our enthusiastic visitors.
I personally invite you to come to the Museum this November, and enjoy one of our public programs. In particular, I encourage you to bring your children or grandchildren to our Nov. 15 & 16 Family Day, where the lessons they learn in school will be explored from an American Indian perspective.
Kevin Gover, Director
National Museum of the American Indian
Thanksgiving address of the Haudenosaunee
Now we return to the Earth, and we look at all the people
who are gathered here and give thanks that we have all come together
with good thoughts and minds, to share and learn from one another.
We bring all of our minds together as one and give thanks.
