America is a vast land of many cultures dating back thousands of years to the original inhabitants of the land. The history and heritage of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Island communities are part of all national parks today. Throughout the year, and especially during November during Native American Heritage Month, the National Park Service and our partners celebrate together the rich traditions, languages, and contributions of Indigenous people.
Join the conversation on social media by using #IndigenousHeritageMonth or #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.Explore the stories in honor of Native American Heritage Month, but also find resources to learn about Indigenous history and heritage in national parks year-round.
Sharing History & Heritage
Discover stories and cultural heritage shared in national parks and communities across the country.
Featured Places
History and heritage of America's Indigenous peoples are in every county across the country. Explore some featured places.
Educators Portal
Find distance learning opportunities, lesson plans, and other educational material about history and heritage for all age groups.
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As we celebrate Native American Heritage, take a moment, wherever you are, to listen to the wind and the stories it carries. The history played out on public lands, like Grand Canyon National Park, has been dramatic and difficult, but learning from our shared past, present, and future will bring this nation together.
Staff Stories and Perspectives
Rock Your Mocs In Parks
Indigenous National Park Service staff are wearing traditional footwear in national parks to celebrate their heritage.
A Pueblo Perspective on Mesa Verde
Listen in while Ranger TJ Atsye gives an audio tour following the footsteps left behind by her Pueblo ancestors.
A Close-Up and Personal Focus
National Park Service employee Loren Yellow Bird shares history and heritage around Fort Union Trading Post NHS through his eyes.
More Featured Stories
Red Shawl Day
The National Park Service joins an all-of-government effort to bring attention to missing and murdered Indigenous peoples.
Building Bison Herds
Badlands National Park, Oglala Sioux Tribe, and Intertribal Tribal Buffalo Council distributed 655 bison to Tribes.
连接自然 & Culture in Illinois
The Serpent Mound at the Norwest Portage Walking Museum hopes to bring together the natural and cultural heritage in an urban area.
Five New Preservation Agreements
Five Tribes in two states signed new Tribal Historic Preservation agreements welcoming them into the Tribal Historic Preservation Program.
Tribal Tourism and Native Voices
The National Park Service is working with Indigenous communities to preserve native cultural heritage and celebrate tribal cultures.
Celebrating Indigenous Artists
The National Park Service is collaborating with partners to support purchasing and selling artwork directly from Indigenous artists.
Haa Léelkʼu Has Yoo X̲ʼatángi
Partners throughout Southeast Alaska are focusing on teaching Tlingit in various ways, including in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve.
Ojibwe Culture Web Resources
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is collaborating with partners to incorporate Ojibwemowin on their park website.
‘Ōlelo Hawaiʻi Classroom Materials
Haleakalā National Park is building curriculum to provide Hawaiian language resources for educators.
Perspectives on Land Law
Land laws including the Homestead Act of 1862 impacted the lives of Native Americans across the United States.
Perspectives on Bryce Canyon
Tribal elders of Southern Paiute, Hopi, Zuni, Ute, and Navajo peoples on Bryce Canyon share relationships with the land and its inhabitants.
Pipestone: An Unbroken Legacy
Learn about the importance of the pipestone quarries from Native American quarriers, pipemakers, and others who have connections.
Kids Activities and Educational Materials
Find kids activities and educational materials for different age groups that explore complex history or share cultural heritage of past and present. More activities are available for kids or about local cultures on park websites.
Calendar of Events
Set the calendar to November to find in-person and virtual events about Indiengous peoples' history and heritage hosted by parks during Native American Heritage Month. Also check the calendar for programs throughout the entire year.
Last updated: November 23, 2022