2022 Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time dedicated to honor the cultures and histories of America’s first sovereign nations. Native American Heritage Month is also a time to learn ways American Indian People continue to exercise their sovereignty and traditions. This year, we would like to share the thoughts and perspectives of our Native American staff and partners.
Geraldene Blackgoat, Diné (Navajo), Designer at MASS Design Group, Indigenous Design Lead for Willamette Falls Trust
Although many of us celebrate and honor our heritage everyday of every month through our actions, through the work we do or in the ways we think, this month is a time to bring awareness to our existence and why our continued existence is so important.
Our ancestors endured many atrocities and forms of violence, and today, many of us Natives of this land continue to suffer from the impacts: stolen lands, displacement, colonization, genocide, assimilation, capitalism, and systemic racism. There was and is a constant effort to erase and minimize our existence, which is why it’s important that we celebrate our diverse, strong, and beautiful cultures while bringing attention to the continued challenges in our communities.
LANDBACK, Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, climate change, broken Treaties, exploitation of land, environmental racism, misrepresentation and under representation, and lack of equity, and even the real-time issue of the supreme court challenge against the Indian Child Welfare Act, are just a few of those challenges that affect us every day of every month. And yet, we are still here. We are still here fighting against institutional and systemic injustices so that we can contribute to a better tomorrow, just as our ancestors did for us. However, we can’t fight alone. It is our hope that others realize the atrocities and violence of our past and will join us in wanting to make the world a better place.
Derek Red Arrow Frank, Nez Perce, General Counsel for Willamette Falls Trust
As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Our nation was born in genocide when it embraced the doctrine that the original American, the Indian, was an inferior race. Even before there were large numbers of Negroes on our shores, the scar of racial hatred had already disfigured colonial society.
From the sixteenth century forward, blood flowed in battles of racial supremacy. We are perhaps the only nation which tried as a matter of national policy to wipe out its indigenous population. Moreover, we elevated that tragic experience into a noble crusade. Indeed, even today we have not permitted ourselves to reject or to feel remorse for this shameful episode. Our literature, our films, our drama, our folklore [and our laws] all exalt it.”
I wish I could say MLK’s statement is irrelevant to modern day social policy. However, these same fights continue to occur, even as you read this today. Nothing has changed. No matter how many land acknowledgments, empty promises, or words come from people and government actors.
But, nothing has changed here in Indian Country. No matter what, we as American Indian people will continue practicing, believing, and strengthening our heritage and traditional ways.
With every traditional act and word we speak, we intentionally breathe life into our preserved cultures. With every pour of water on the hot stones in the sweathouse, we inhale the same medicines our grandfathers breathed as they sweat and prepared to approach the United States' Agents at our Treaty Council grounds. With every piece of regalia made and every dance at our powwows, we remember and bless the souls of our People. And with every good traded, every right exercised, every elk taken, and every fish caught, we intentionally honor our cultures that define our heritage.
We will do this today, we will do this tomorrow, and we will continue to strengthen our heritage forever.
Gerard Rodriguez, Yaqui, Associate Director and Tribal Affairs Director for Willamette Falls Trust
The challenges our people have faced for generations continue to shape our experience today.
This experience is never limited to any one day, month, or moment. Many atrocities have been forced upon us, removed us from our homelands, and taken our loved ones.