CHARLESTON, S.C. - November is National Native American Heritage Month, which was originally authorized and requested by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and has since been issued as an annual proclamation. Presidents since Bush have urged Americans to celebrate and recognize the many contributions, accomplishments, and sacrifices of Native Americans and to learn more about American Indian cultures.
President Barack Obama, in his 2010 proclamation, acknowledged that “America’s journey has been marked both by bright times of progress and dark moments of injustice for American Indians and Alaska Natives” and underscored the importance of “supporting tribal self-determination, security, and prosperity for all Native Americans.”
Native peoples have been integral to the development of a unique American culture, and their contributions in such areas as agriculture, science and technology, medicine, and government have had worldwide implications. More recently, Native activists have played a major role in the modern environmental justice movement. Their efforts received international attention when, from August 2016 through February 2017, members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota and their allies actively opposed the completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
While mainstream American culture oftentimes depicts Native Americans as relics of the past, only focusing on a handful of notable tribal leaders and historic events, today there are more than five million Native Americans and more than 600 sovereign Native nations.
This month Charleston County Public Library will host a few virtual programs, including a special themed book talk on Nov. 17 at 5 p.m., and a fry bread cooking demonstration on Nov. 25 at 3 p.m. We also have a special Native American History Month book list to share with you on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
You can even profile someone you learn about in our databases with this worksheet!
Coverage of the spectrum of Native American experience can be found in several databases available for free through CCPL. Below is a selection of topic portals, media, and articles:
Native American Rights in Opposing Viewpoints in Context
Indian Removal and the Trail of Tears in U.S. History in Context
Chief Joseph’s Speech to the U.S. Government, 1879 from U.S. History in Context
The Dakota Access Pipeline Threatens Standing Rock from Opposing Viewpoints in Context