Native American Heritage Month Events and Resources
Week 1 — Recognition & Reflection
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This November, we honor Indigenous Peoples’ Month by acknowledging the original stewards of this land—[insert local tribes, e.g., the Puyallup, Nisqually, and other Coast Salish peoples].
Their enduring traditions, wisdom, and care for community continue to shape our region and our collective future.
💡 Action: Include a land acknowledgment in your next meeting or event, and learn whose land you’re on via Native Land Digital.
#IndigenousPeoplesMonth #LandAcknowledgment #Inclusion #LeadershipInAction
Week 2 — Language, Culture & Knowledge
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Languages, stories, and art preserve identity and resilience. 📖✨
This week, we celebrate Indigenous languages and storytelling traditions—each a living archive of culture and connection.
📚 Action: Add an Indigenous author or podcast to your professional learning list. (Try Joy Harjo, Robin Wall Kimmerer, or the All My Relations podcast.)
#IndigenousVoices #CulturalCompetence #LifelongLearning
Week 3 — Economic Empowerment & Sovereignty
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Economic sovereignty is a foundation for thriving communities. 💼
During Indigenous Peoples’ Month—and beyond—we can all help strengthen Native economies by supporting Indigenous-owned businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs.
🤝 Action: Identify one Native-owned business to collaborate with, purchase from, or feature in your professional network this week.
#SupplierDiversity #EconomicEquity #SupportNativeBusinesses
Week 4 — Stewardship & Future Generations
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Indigenous communities lead the way in environmental stewardship and climate justice. 🌎💧
Their knowledge systems offer vital lessons for sustainable development and intergenerational responsibility.
🌱 Action: Follow or donate to an Indigenous-led environmental organization, and explore how traditional ecological knowledge can inform your field.
#Sustainability #ClimateLeadership #IndigenousKnowledge
(Optional) Week 5 — Gratitude & Continued Commitment
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As Indigenous Peoples’ Month concludes, our learning and commitment continue. 🙏🏽
Equity and respect aren’t seasonal—they’re sustained through ongoing action, allyship, and curiosity.
💬 Action: Reflect on one insight or resource from this month that will shape your work going forward. Share it to keep the learning alive.
#ContinuousLearning #EquityInAction #IndigenousFutures
(Image https://www.duwamishtribe.org/chief-siahl)
Chief Leschi
Duwamish and Suquamish leader for whom the city of Seattle is named.
Known for his powerful oratory about the environment and coexistence between Native people and settlers.
Advocated for peace while protecting his people’s rights during the early settlement of Puget Sound.
Leschi (c. 1808–1858)
Nisqually leader who resisted unfair treaties imposed by the U.S. government.
Wrongfully executed after the Puget Sound War; later exonerated and honored as a symbol of justice for Native peoples.
(Image: https://www.historylink.org/file/21193)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Kamiakin
Chief Kamiakin (c. 1800–1877)
Yakama leader who resisted U.S. encroachment during the Yakama War of 1855–58.
Remembered for his courage, diplomacy, and defense of tribal sovereignty.
(Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Joseph )
Chief Joseph (Hinmatóowyalahtq̓it) (1840–1904)
Though originally from the Wallowa Valley (Nez Perce) region, his people’s forced relocation brought them through Washington. Revered across the Northwest for his leadership and humanitarian principles.
(Image: https://www.historylink.org/file/7130 )
Vi Hilbert (1918–2008)
Upper Skagit Tribe elder, linguist, and storyteller who preserved the Lushootseed language. Helped ensure the survival of Coast Salish oral traditions and linguistic heritage. Named a Washington State Living Treasure in 1989.
(Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazel_Pete )
Hazel Pete (1914–2003)
Chehalis Tribe member, master basket weaver, and educator.
Revived traditional Salish weaving and helped preserve cultural crafts through teaching and mentorship.
(Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitting_Bull )
Sitting Bull (c.1831–1890)
Hunkpapa Lakota leader and spiritual figure who resisted U.S. expansion and played a key role at the Battle of Little Bighorn.
(Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tecumseh)
Tecumseh (1768–1813)
Shawnee leader who sought to unite Indigenous nations against U.S. expansion into Native lands.
(Image: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/wilma-mankiller )
Wilma Mankiller (1945–2010)
First female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation; worked to improve education, healthcare, and housing.
(Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Banks )
Dennis Banks (1937–2017)
Ojibwe activist and co-founder of the American Indian Movement (AIM), which fought for Native rights in the 1960s–70s.