Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month is an opportunity for Indigenous peoples to share their stories, art, music and perspectives while also raising awareness about the complex history and ongoing challenges faced by Native American communities.

Written by Crystall Thomas, Regional HR Manager - Olympic Steel (Bedford Heights, OH)

Native American Heritage Month, observed annually in November, is a dedicated time to recognize and celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and achievements of Native American tribes across the United States. This month serves as a platform for Indigenous peoples to share their stories, art, music, and perspectives, while also raising awareness about the complex history and ongoing challenges faced by Native American communities.

In 1990, President George H.W. Bush officially designated November as "National American Indian Heritage Month," signifying a national commitment to honoring Native American heritage.

Prior to the official designation, activists like Jerry C. Elliott High Eagle, a Cherokee/Osage Indian, played a key role in advocating for a dedicated week of recognition for Native Americans.

Today, there are 574 federally recognized Native American tribes and Alaskan Native entities in the United States. The federal government maintains a relationship with these tribes as distinct, independent political communities.

Of these 574 tribes, 229 are in Alaska. California has the second-highest number with 109, as well as the largest Native American population of any state.

Here are some other facts about Native American tribes in the United States:

• There are around 326 tribal land areas in the U.S.
• Native Americans were granted American citizenship in 1924 with the Indian Citizenship Act.
• The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, formed by five tribal nations: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca, is one of the oldest living democracies in the world.
• The largest tribal land area is the Navajo Nation Reservation, which covers 16 million acres in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
• The Navajo Nation is the largest Native American tribe by population with approximately 400,000 registered members, surpassing the Cherokee Nation in 2021.
• On average, the land that tribes currently have is only about 2.6% of the territory they occupied before colonization.
• Many tribes were forcibly relocated by the U.S. government and were left without any land.
• Roughly 68% of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives live on or near their homelands.