Although the first "American Indian Day" was celebrated in May 1916 in New York, a month-long recognition of Native Americans did not happen until 1990. That year, President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month. Since then, the title has expanded to celebrate the heritage, history, art and traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
In honor of this year's National American Indian Heritage Month, Smithsonian.com recognizes two renowned Native artists for their bead and sculpture work, investigates why Native American languages are disappearing, explores Sitting Bull's legacy through his great-grandson and offers a list of festivals, concerts and lectures at the Smithsonian Institution and around the country.
Beading the Way
How Joyce Growing Thunder Fogarty created one of the centerpieces for the National Museum of American Indian's "Identity by Design" exhibition
Featured Exhibit:
Identity by Design: Tradition, Change, and Celebration in Native Women's Dresses
March 24, 2007—August 3, 2008
NMAI on the National Mall, Washington, DC
Bringing together a vast array of dresses and accessories from the Plains, Plateau, and Great Basin regions of the United States and Canada, Identity by Design highlights Native women's identity through traditional dress and its contemporary evolution.
Featured Event:
From Deer to Dress
Thursday, November 15 - Friday, November 16, 10 am-12 noon and 1-3 pm
In these family events, Kathleen and Jeff Coleclough (Métis) discuss hunting traditions, hide preparation, and dress construction and decoration. Participants learn basic beading techniques and try their hands at making a daisy-chain bracelet or a gourd-stitch bookmark.
Explore More Smithsonian Coverage of American Indian Heritage
- Making the Grade
Yurok Indian Geneva Wiki is helping other young Native Americans "develop their best selves"
- Going With the Grain
On Minnesota lakes, Native Americans satisfy a growing hunger for "slow food" by harvesting authentically wild rice the old-fashioned way
- An Evolving Ritual
The National Powwow showcases a mixture of tradition and competition
- Mystery and Drama
Virginia Morell, author of "The Zuni Way," on the mystical ceremonies of the Zuni pueblo
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Calendar of Events
Around the Country
Learn about American Indian Heritage celebrations in your state
At the Smithsonian
Learn about American Indian Heritage celebrations at the Smithsonian Institution
Travel with Smithsonian
Pueblo Indian Winter Dances
Jan 21 - 26, 2008
Witness dramatic Pueblo ceremonies under the tutelage of Smithsonian scholar Bruce Bernstein
Battle of Little Bighorn
Aug 6 - 11, 2008
Explore the passion and controversy of the Battle of Little Bighorn
American Indian Heritage at Smithsonian Store
Native American Photography at the Smithsonian
Hauntingly beautiful Native American portraits reflect the tragic history of the Cheyenne, Sioux, Pawnee, Cherokee, and other tribes.
