Looking for meaningful Native American Heritage Day activities for work? Whether your team is in the office, remote, or hybrid, Native American Heritage Day on Friday, November 28, 2026, is an opportunity to recognize the history, cultures, and ongoing contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples while strengthening connections across your workplace.
In this guide, you’ll discover eight engaging Native American Heritage Day workplace activities that promote learning, encourage thoughtful conversations, and bring employees together.
From virtual team building experiences to educational resources and community initiatives, the ideas in this post make it easy to celebrate with intention on Native American Heritage Day, during Native American Heritage Month, and beyond.
8+ Ways to Celebrate Native American Heritage Day
In this guide, you’ll learn how to:
- Recognize the Native lands where you live and work
- Participate in Native American cultural events and celebrations
- Delve deeper into Native American history
- Explore Native American cuisine and culinary traditions
- Read and share books by Native American authors
- Support and engage with Native American communities
You’ll also find:
- Creative virtual and in-person team building activities
- Workplace celebration ideas for remote, hybrid, and in-office teams
- The history and significance of Native American Heritage Day
- Resources to help foster cultural awareness and inclusion year-round
Why is it Important to Honor Indigenous Cultures and Traditions?
Native American and Indigenous peoples have shaped the history, culture, and future of the United States for thousands of years. Their contributions continue to influence agriculture, environmental stewardship, government, art, science, language, and countless other aspects of American life.
Native American Heritage Day and Native American Heritage Month provide an opportunity to recognize these lasting contributions while celebrating the diversity of Indigenous cultures across our country.
This is also a time to recognize both the past atrocities and the current injustices and challenges that Indigenous communities face. For instance, Native American people face barriers to economic mobility, medical and health inequities, and other systemic disparities. In fact, the Indian Health Service reports, “American Indians and Alaska Natives born today have a life expectancy that is 5.5 years less than the U.S. all races population (73.0 years to 78.5 years, respectively).”
Learning about Native American history and heritage is an important step toward correcting injustices as well as building more inclusive communities. For many years, Indigenous history, perspectives, and achievements have been underrepresented or oversimplified in classrooms and popular media, contributing to misconceptions and limiting awareness of Native American voices and experiences.
By taking time to learn from Native American communities, amplify Indigenous perspectives, and celebrate Native American culture, your organization can help build greater cultural understanding and create workplaces where inclusion and respect are valued year-round. Whether through educational events, team building activities, or community engagement, every effort to learn and celebrate contributes to a more informed and inclusive future.
When is Native American Heritage Day?
Each year, Native American Heritage Day is celebrated on the day after Thanksgiving. The day provides a dedicated opportunity to honor and recognize the contributions of Indigenous peoples. It is also part of the broader context of the month-long celebration of Native American Heritage Month in November.
Native American Heritage Day is particularly significant because it follows a holiday with historically negative ties to Native American interactions with early European settlers. Businesses can use this day to host special events, workshops, or cultural showcases. Additionally, this can be a meaningful time for collaborating with Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs and engaging in philanthropic efforts to support Native American communities.
By doing so, your business can use this day as a culmination of a month-long series of activities or initiatives dedicated to celebrating and honoring Native American heritage.
Native American Heritage Celebration Ideas
1. Book a Virtual Native American Heritage Month Team Building Event
Looking for a meaningful Native American Heritage Month activity for work? Our Indigenous and Native American Heritage Month Virtual Team-Building Event is an engaging, turnkey experience designed for remote, hybrid, and in-office teams that want to celebrate with purpose.
During this interactive, one-hour program, your team will be guided by two professional studio hosts and two live-streaming experts, including a leading Indigenous scholar and enrolled member of the Atakapa-Ishak Nation. Together, you’ll explore Native American history, cultures, and contemporary perspectives through thoughtful storytelling, discussion, and virtual exploration.
Your team will gain a deeper understanding of how narratives about Indigenous peoples have shaped U.S. history, influenced public policy, and continue to impact Native American communities today. The experience also includes an immersive virtual visit to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, where people have lived continuously for more than 12,000 years, offering a fascinating look at one of North America’s oldest continuously inhabited cultural landscapes.
Whether you’re planning a Native American Heritage Day activity, a Native American Heritage Month workplace celebration, or an inclusion-focused employee event, this virtual experience helps teams build cultural awareness while connecting with one another in a meaningful way.
Learn more about the Native American Heritage Month Virtual Team-Building Event by filling out the short form below, and a member of our team will be in touch to share no-pressure details!
2. Recognize the Native Land You Are On
Acknowledging the traditional Native American lands we live on or visit is a fundamental act of respect and recognition for the original stewards of the land. A land acknowledgment is a formal statement that acknowledges Indigenous peoples and their enduring connection to the land on which a gathering takes place. It serves as a reminder of the historical and ongoing presence of Native American communities and their contributions to the area.
Importantly, land acknowledgments emphasize the importance of addressing past injustices and promoting reconciliation. By practicing land acknowledgments, we honor the rich cultural heritage and resilience of Indigenous peoples while fostering a deeper understanding of the historical and contemporary issues they face.
Learn what native land you’re on today by visiting native-land.ca.
3. Participate Respectfully in Native American Cultural Events
Watching or participating respectfully in cultural events offers a direct and engaging way to commemorate Native American Heritage Day. These events allow your teams to learn firsthand from Indigenous people, fostering a deeper appreciation for their traditions and contributions.
Attend traditional dances, where the rhythmic beat of drums and intricate regalia showcase Indigenous dance forms. Or, enjoy museum exhibits or ceremonies dedicated to Indigenous communities. Another idea: join festivals featuring Indigenous cuisine, arts, and crafts to appreciate the contributions of Native Americans.
Search for activities near your company’s physical location, or use the ideas in this post to participate with your team virtually throughout the month of November.
4. Explore Native American Cuisine
Native American cuisine spans a range of unique and rich flavors from tribes across North America. Explore dishes from the succulent smoked salmon and camas bulbs of the Pacific Northwest tribes to the hearty buffalo stews and fry bread of the Plains tribes. Or, try Navajo tacos, made with fluffy fry bread, and the Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash) stew of the Southwest.
To savor these unique flavors, seek out Native American-owned restaurants or food festivals that showcase Indigenous dishes. Alternatively, exploring traditional recipes and cooking Native American cuisine at home or together at work can be a rewarding and educational experience.
Find more Native American food resources and webinars here, from the First Nations Development Institute.
5. Read Native American Literature
Reading literature by Native American authors is another powerful way to gain insight into Indigenous cultures. By delving into these works, your team members can broaden their horizons and appreciate the depth and diversity of Native American literary contributions.
Whether you’re a fan of historical nonfiction, graphic novels, or poetry, there is a Native American-authored book for you. To get started, explore Penguin Random House’s list of Must-Read Books by Indigenous Authors or find a book from an Indigenous-owned publisher.
6. Listen to Native American Podcasts
Another idea: tap into podcasts focusing on Native American culture, history, and contemporary issues. Podcasts are unique in their ability to create an engaging and immersive learning experience. That’s because listeners from any location can hear directly from Indigenous leaders, scholars, artists, and community members.
A few Indigenous-led podcasts to get your team started:
- All My Relations. Hosted by Matika Wilbur from the Swinomish and Tulalip peoples of coastal Washington and Adrienne Keene, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, the two explore what it means to be a modern Native individual.
- The Red Nation Podcast. The series focuses on a range of Indigenous topics, from history to politics and culture.
- Toasted Sister Podcast. This podcast follows the culinary journey of Andi Murphy, a Navajo journalist, as she finds her roots and makes waves in the Native American Food Movement.
- Coffee With My Ma. This series documents the passing of stories between host Kaniehtiio Horn and her mother, activist Kahentinetha Horn, who shares stories of her very long adventurous life with humor and wisdom.
7. Support Native American Art and Artists
Native American art is a powerful means of preserving culture and storytelling. Purchasing or promoting these artworks directly supports Indigenous communities. By providing income to Native American artisans and their families, businesses can help sustain these cultural traditions.
To show support, purchase art directly from Native American artists or artisans. Look to art fairs, markets, or online platforms showcasing work from Indigenous makers. Additionally, your team can search for and attend local exhibitions featuring Native American art at museums, galleries, and cultural centers.
8. Support & Engage with Native American Communities
One of the most meaningful ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Day is by supporting and engaging with Native American and Indigenous communities. If your team has the opportunity, consider volunteering with Native American organizations or participating in community-led initiatives.
Many organizations welcome support for environmental conservation efforts, cultural preservation projects, language revitalization programs, educational initiatives, and community development work.
You can also visit public tribal cultural centers, museums, or historic sites to learn about Native American history and traditions through exhibits, guided tours, and educational programs. These experiences provide valuable context while helping dispel misconceptions and foster greater appreciation for the diversity of Indigenous cultures.
Looking for a simple way to make an impact? Support Indigenous-owned businesses when purchasing holiday gifts, employee appreciation items, or corporate swag. Buying directly from Native American artists, makers, and entrepreneurs is a meaningful way to celebrate Indigenous cultures while supporting local economies.
Check out this guide to Indigenous-owned businesses for gift ideas your team can enjoy throughout the year.
How to Appreciate Native American Culture Respectfully
As you plan Native American Heritage Day and/or Native American Heritage Month activities, it’s important to understand the difference between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation.
Cultural appropriation happens when elements of a culture are used without understanding their history, significance, or context. This can unintentionally reinforce stereotypes, disrespect sacred traditions, or commercialize cultural practices that hold deep meaning for Native American and Indigenous communities.
A respectful approach begins with learning, so take time to explore Native American history, traditions, and contemporary cultures with resources created by Indigenous leaders. Whenever possible, support Native American-owned businesses, attend community-led events that are open to the public, and listen to Indigenous voices and perspectives.
If you visit a tribal community, museum, cultural center, or public event, be mindful of local customs and protocols. Follow any guidance provided by hosts, respect tribal laws and cultural practices, and ask permission before taking photographs or recording videos. During ceremonies or cultural events, avoid behavior that could be disruptive or disrespectful.
You can also show respect by avoiding clothing, accessories, or symbols that hold ceremonial or spiritual significance. For example, traditional regalia, such as feathered headdresses, is deeply meaningful in many Native American cultures and should not be worn as costumes or fashion accessories.
By approaching Native American cultures with curiosity, humility, and respect, you can help create meaningful learning experiences that honor Indigenous traditions and foster greater cultural understanding.
Turn A Day of Recognition into Year-Round Learning
Native American Heritage Day is an opportunity to learn, reflect, and celebrate the histories, cultures, and lasting contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples. Whether your team attends a cultural event, supports Indigenous-owned businesses, explores Native American literature, or participates in a guided virtual experience, every step toward greater understanding helps foster a more informed and connected workplace.
If you’re looking for an engaging way to celebrate Native American Heritage Day or Native American Heritage Month with your team, Unexpected Virtual Tours & Training offers top-rated interactive virtual experiences led by expert guides that inspire meaningful conversations and lasting connections.
Why Choose Unexpected Virtual Tours & Training?
Our Indigenous & Native American Heritage Experience virtual tour is a 1-hour event, but it takes us nearly 400 hours each year to research and build it. Our historians use original source materials, such as diary entries and newspaper articles from the relevant time period, plus read dozens of books and scholarly articles.
As a result, your team will experience a thoughtfully-created program grounded in historical accuracy, enriched by Indigenous perspectives, and brought to life through engaging storytelling that sparks meaningful conversation long after the event ends.
Join us to see why we have a 5-star rating on Google with 3,500+ reviews!
Resources to Continue Learning
- Indigenous & Native American Heritage Month Virtual Team Building Event
- 12+ Ways to Honor Native American Heritage Month
- Video: Why Capitalize the Word Indigenous?
- Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian Online Collection
- Book: An Indigenous People’s History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
Located in Atlanta? Check out Unexpected Atlanta Tours & Gifts