Native American Heritage Month-Native Americans Are The Original Americans
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward · Survivor · Trauma

Native American Heritage Month-Native Americans Are The Original Americans

Looking for the Light

Native American Heritage Month is extremely important to me for two reasons. The first I’m 1/16th Cherokee, and I’m proud of my ancestors. The second more gruesome, our government decided that the Indians weren’t allowed to live in open land like the white man. They rounded up all the tribes and built reservations for them to live without government support. They became second-class citizens and little has changed today. If you read just one book about the brutality of the Native Americans, read about the Trail of Tears. You will see a clear picture of how Native Americans were treated and raped of their land.

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Welcome to Native American Heritage Month at the Department of the Interior! National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in November. It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages, and stories of Native American and Alaska Native communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. This November and every month, we celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our Nation. We celebrate Indian Country with its remarkable diversity of American Indian and Alaska Native cultures and peoples while remembering and honoring our veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend our Nation.

Our theme is Weaving together our past, present and future. We will focus on the failed policies of the past with a focus on the Federal Indian Boarding Schools and moving into the present and the work being done to address the intergenerational trauma Native people still face. In partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Smithsonian Institution, we are working to record the lasting impacts of that era and share that information with all Americans.

As Indigenous people, our past, present and future are all connected.

Additional Resources

Informative articles

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $71 Million to Electrify Homes Across Indian Country with Clean Energy through President’s Investing in America Agenda

Indian Affairs invests nearly $10 million to rehabilitate Columbia River Treaty Fishing Access Sites, as part of President’s Investing in America agenda

Indian Affairs seeks additional input on new regulations to protect Native American and Native Hawaiian cultural items

Indian Affairs opens Indigenous Connectivity and Technology Division

For me, it’s important to read about how Native Americans were treated by our government because it was brutal and killed thousands and our government rapes their land from them.  Native Americans were the first Americans on this great land, not the people migrating on the Mayflower and other ships. No doubt in my mind they were here long before a boat came over.

I’m of Cherokee descent, myself being 1/16th and several of my ancestors are on the Dawns Rolls but many at the time didn’t sign the rolls because they did not trust the government. How could they trust after being driven from their land and pushed into tribal communities with no assistance from the government? It was sink or swim, it’s not different today.

Another blemish from history and little has been done to improve their living standards. I’m happy to have the articles mentioned above that show action is being taken.

Remember to open your mind that’s Thanksgiving to include Native Americans and their make in history.

Melinda

References:

https://www.bia.gov/NNAHM

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11 thoughts on “Native American Heritage Month-Native Americans Are The Original Americans”

  2. Thank you so much for sharing such a powerful reflection on Native American Heritage Month. As someone with a small portion of Taino heritage from Puerto Rico and a wife who is part Chippewa, this topic resonates deeply with us. It’s a painful and often overlooked history that still impacts Native communities today.

    I completely agree that the treatment of Native Americans—especially the forced removal from their lands, the horrific events like the Trail of Tears, and the continuing systemic neglect—has been devastating. The brutal legacy of these policies can still be felt in many communities, and it’s heartbreaking to think that much of this history is not fully acknowledged or taught in the way it should be. We can’t forget the immense strength and resilience of Native peoples who have endured generations of trauma, and it’s critical that we continue to raise awareness about the importance of honoring their contributions and struggles.

    Like you, I am proud of my Native heritage, even if it’s a small part of who I am. But that doesn’t diminish the significance of it. The fact that so many Native Americans were forced into reservations and continue to face generational challenges is something that needs to be continuously acknowledged and addressed.

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    1. Native Americans lived in America see by side with the imagrant Americans for many years, they were here long before America was founded yet, whomever the leader was at the time decided they weren’t Americans. I don’t know the entire history but I sure know the brutal part. It affected my ancestors greatly. It is the worst act of brutality our government has taken. I was glad the awareness month was in November, it allowed me to write the truth before Thanksgiving. Most have looked the other way and have no idea how Native Americans live, in poverty, high alcoholic and high suicide rates, no jobs to be had, living day to day. It is appalling. All Native Americans are one to me regardless on the percentage. We have to keep makking the facts known.

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      1. You’re absolutely right, there is a painful and often overlooked history of brutality against Native Americans, and it’s so important that we continue to raise awareness about the struggles they face today. The legacy of displacement, violence, and systemic neglect has had a devastating impact on Native communities, and it’s something that should never be ignored or forgotten.

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    1. Thank you for the kind words. The lack of respect for our planet has spilled over into our society. On another suject about our land, the world is having horrific weather events, wildfires are on the east coast, most of the country is experiencing drought some even extreme drought but I have not hear one reporter, government agency or charity say wake up, this is global warming. My husband is still clueless. Guess how Climate Change works, it starts with us. I’ll step of my bandstand now. :)

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