Native American Heritage

Native American
Words of Wisdom:

With a long history, rich culture, and more than 300 spoken languages, the wisdom of Native American tribes has been passed down through the centuries.

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A multimedia presentation in honor of Native American Heritage Month and our First Nations.

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American Indian College Fund

"Have you ever seen a real Indian?"

Each November National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month is celebrated not only in recognition of the contributions of the many intertribal cultures, but to educate us about the rich history, heritage, art, and traditions of the original American people. Quite appropriately, this year's theme is "Understanding Native American Heritage Now and Then."

American Indians and Alaska Natives are people having origins in any of the original peoples of North, South, and Central America, and who maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there are 4.1 million, or 1.5 percent, American Indians and Alaskan Natives living in the U. S. American Indians and Alaskan Natives have a unique relationship with the federal government due to historic conflict and subsequent treaties. There are 569 federally recognized tribes, plus an unknown number that are not federally recognized.

American Indians were the first people to live in what is now known as America. Native Americans and Alaskan natives lived in America for thousands of years before explorers made it to the Americas in the 1400 and 1500s. When Christopher Columbus landed in America in 1492, he called the people he met Indians because he wrongly thought he had sailed to India. Historians say that before Europeans arrived, between 12 and 15 million American Indians and Alaska Natives lived all across the Americas. After Europeans colonized the land, disease, and war killed hundreds of thousands of American Indians

Almost half of America's Native American tribal leaders have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, following in the footsteps of their forefathers who distinguished themselves during the World Wars, and the conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. America is especially grateful to the many American Indian and Alaska Natives who have courageously answered the call to defend freedom as members of our Armed Forces.

American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month is celebrated with community gatherings, powwows, festivals, and government and educational activities. Many schools celebrate the month by learning more about the history and contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives in education, art, literature, government, sports, science, and technology past and present.

I encourage you to learn more about the rich past and present heritage of the American Indian and Alaskan Native peoples. Please find the time to participate in any of the various celebrations in your area honoring the traditions, art, music, culture, and contributions of the original American peoples.