Before European colonization, hundreds of sovereign Indigenous nations thrived across what is now the United States. Each nation had (and continues to have) its own distinct government, language, traditions, and cultural practices. Indigenous peoples have made and continue to make significant contributions to agriculture, environmental stewardship, art, science, governance, and countless other areas that have shaped our society.Native American Heritage Month, observed each November, is an opportunity for your workplace to recognize and learn about the rich cultures, histories, traditions, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples. If your organization is looking for meaningful ways to acknowledge Native American Heritage Month at work, it’s important to approach the occasion with respect, curiosity, and a commitment to authentic learning.
Thoughtfully recognizing Native American Heritage Month in the workplace can help your team build cultural awareness, encourage meaningful conversations, and create a more inclusive environment. From educational experiences and team discussions to opportunities for supporting Indigenous communities, there are many ways your team can honor this month while fostering a culture of respect and belonging year-round.
In this guide, we’ll explore respectful ways to recognize Native American Heritage Month at work and share ideas to help your team engage with Indigenous history, culture, and perspectives in a meaningful way.
12+ Ways to Honor Native American Heritage Month at Work
Watch the short video below for ideas on how your team can thoughtfully recognize Native American Heritage Month at work. Then, read on to explore additional ways to honor Indigenous cultures, learn about Native history and contributions, and create meaningful opportunities for connection and cultural awareness in the workplace.
The Significance of Native American Heritage Month
The history of Native American communities is a story of resilience. Colonization, forced removal, warfare, and disease caused devastating harm to Indigenous nations and communities. Despite these challenges, Native peoples have worked to preserve their languages, cultures, traditions, and connections to their ancestral lands. Learning about Native American history means recognizing both the hardships Indigenous communities have endured and the enduring contributions they continue to make.
Before European colonization, hundreds of sovereign Indigenous nations thrived across what is now the United States. Each nation had (and continues to have) its own distinct government, language, traditions, and cultural practices. Today, Native communities remain an important and diverse part of the United States. There are 575 tribal entities recognized by the U.S. federal government, each representing distinct sovereign nations with their own histories, cultures, and systems of governance.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2.7 million U.S. residents identified as solely American Indian or Alaska Native in the most recent census data, while 6.3 million people identified as American Indian and Alaska Native alone or in combination with another race between 2017 and 2021.
The Native American population is expected to continue growing in the coming decades. By 2060, an estimated 10.1 million people (around 2.5% of the U.S. population) are projected to identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, either alone or in combination with another race. Additionally, more than 680,000 Native Hawaiian people call the United States home.
Native American Heritage Month is an opportunity to recognize the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples while continuing to learn from their experiences and perspectives. To learn more, explore the Native American Heritage Month web portal organized by the Library of Congress and other federal agencies.
How Did Native American Heritage Month Begin?
While Native American Heritage Month was officially established in 1990, the movement to create a national observance honoring Indigenous peoples began decades earlier.
In the early 1900s, Indigenous leaders and advocates began calling for a dedicated day of recognition for Native American communities. Leaders such as Dr. Arthur Caswell Parker, Rev. Red Fox James, and Rev. Sherman Coolidge worked to raise awareness of Native histories, cultures, and contributions. While these efforts gained recognition at the state level, a nationwide observance would take many more years to become a reality.
The first step toward a national celebration came in 1986, when Congress passed Pub. L. No. 99-471 and President Ronald Reagan designated a week-long observance known as American Indian Week. Similar week-long observances continued from 1987 through 1989 under the name National American Indian Week.
In 1990, Congress passed a joint resolution, Pub. L. No. 101-343, authorizing and requesting that the President designate November as National American Indian Heritage Month.” President George H.W. Bush officially proclaimed November 1990 as the first National American Indian Heritage Month through Presidential Proclamation 6230.
According to the Library of Congress, November was selected because it traditionally marks the end of the harvest season, a time historically associated with abundance, celebration, and gratitude among many Indigenous communities.
From 1991 through 2008, presidents continued issuing annual proclamations recognizing November as National American Indian Heritage Month. In 2009, the observance was renamed National Native American Heritage Month.
Today, Native American Heritage Month is recognized throughout the United States each November as a time to honor the rich histories, cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous peoples – including American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Indigenous communities.
Why Does Native American Heritage Month Matter at Work?
Native American Heritage Month matters because it provides an opportunity to recognize the histories, cultures, traditions, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples. In the workplace, taking time to learn about Native communities can help teams build cultural awareness, encourage meaningful conversations, and foster an environment rooted in respect and understanding.
Recognizing Native American Heritage Month goes beyond honoring Indigenous peoples in November; this is an opportunity for your organization to continue learning, strengthening connections, and creating more thoughtful workplace experiences all year long.
Activities for Native American Heritage Month at Work
Looking for meaningful ways to recognize Native American Heritage Month at work? The best celebrations go beyond a single-day acknowledgment and create opportunities for your employees to learn about Native history, cultures, traditions, languages, and the lasting contributions of Indigenous communities.
From interactive learning experiences to team discussions and cultural activities, these ideas can help your organization celebrate Native American Heritage Month in a thoughtful way while fostering connection, curiosity, and a deeper appreciation for Indigenous communities.
Indigenous & Native American Heritage Month Virtual Experience
One impactful way to celebrate Native American Heritage Month is through a top-rated interactive cultural learning experience with Unexpected Virtual Tours & Training.
The Indigenous and Native American Heritage Month Virtual Tour offers your team a unique opportunity to explore Native history, culture, and contributions through an engaging 60-minute experience. Rather than a lecture, this engaging program combines storytelling, trivia, and virtual travel to help your team connect with Indigenous communities and learn from expert guides – including an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation.
During the experience, your team will explore Indigenous history from 15,000 BCE to the present day, examine how narratives about Native communities have shaped policies and public perceptions, and take a virtual visit to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, a site with more than 12,000 years of continuous human habitation.
You’ll also learn about influential Native American leaders, artists, authors, and activists while exploring Indigenous contributions to language, food, politics, and more. With interactive elements designed to encourage participation and conversation, this experience provides a memorable way for your organization to celebrate Native American Heritage Month while building stronger team connections.
Cultural Workshop with Redhawk Native American Arts Council
Create a meaningful learning opportunity for your team by bringing an Indigenous-led program to your workplace through the Redhawk Native American Arts Council . Their online programs connect employees with Native artists, educators, and cultural leaders to explore Indigenous history, traditions, art, and contemporary issues.
From learning about the diverse nations of Turtle Island to exploring Native arts, music, dance, and storytelling, Redhawk offers interactive experiences designed to encourage curiosity, respect, and cultural understanding. Your organization can choose from a variety of programs including Native American history courses, cultural sensitivity training, music and art demonstrations, Pow Wow history and dancing workshops, and conversations about social justice and Indigenous advocacy.
These experiences can help teams better understand the rich histories, ongoing contributions, and vibrant cultures of Native communities while creating space for thoughtful dialogue and connection.
Film Screenings and Discussions
Host a film screening and discussion with your team to honor Native American Heritage Month. You can plan an after-work screening or set aside time during the day for a short film. Prepare a few discussion questions afterward for the team to debrief on what they learned.
Get started with dozens of options to choose from with this list of 53 films to watch during American Indian Heritage Month. You can also browse GLAAD’s list of Films & TV That Highlight Indigenous and Two-Spirited Characters and Communities. To combine food and film, watch Gather: an educational film about “Indian resilience and the renaissance of Native food systems” from the First Nations Development Institute.
Traditional Food Experiences
Before colonization, Native American peoples had a close connection with the earth and developed many innovative ways of farming. These included raised planting beds as well as the practice of growing symbiotic crops together. Unfortunately, the U.S. government forced tribes to relocate and imposed restrictions on tribes’ access to hunting, fishing, and agriculture.
Today, many Indigenous chefs and food educators are on a mission to share about Indigenous foods. Your team can try preparing Native American dishes and learning about their histories with recipes from NATIFS (North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems). For instance, learn to make dishes like bison meatballs, sweet potato dumplings, Three Sisters succotash, sunflower cookies, and more.
Additionally, Indigikitchen offers cooking videos and recipes as well as residencies, lectures, and more.
Guest Speaker Events
Bring Indigenous voices and perspectives directly to your workplace by hosting a guest speaker event such as a lunch and learn, keynote presentation, or panel discussion featuring members of Indigenous communities. These conversations can provide valuable opportunities for your employees to learn about Native history, culture, lived experiences, and current issues directly from Indigenous leaders and experts.
Be sure to set aside time for team members to ask thoughtful questions. You may also want to host a follow-up discussion or debrief session to reflect on key takeaways and continue the conversation beyond the event.
To find guests for your event, explore Native American keynote and guest speakers through All American Speakers. Additionally, you can browse the speakers bureau organized by The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center.
Honoring Native American Culture Year-Round
Native American Heritage Month is an important opportunity to learn, reflect, and celebrate Indigenous communities, but meaningful recognition should continue throughout the year. Consider incorporating ongoing educational initiatives, cultural learning opportunities, and partnerships with Indigenous voices to help foster a workplace culture rooted in respect, inclusion, and continuous learning.
By making Indigenous history and perspectives part of your organization’s year-round efforts, you can move beyond a one-month observance and create a lasting commitment to honoring Native American heritage and contributions.
Exhibitions & Cultural Programs
One meaningful way to continue learning about Indigenous cultures throughout the year is by exploring Native American art, history, and cultural exhibits. If your team is located in the same city, consider visiting a nearby museum, cultural center, or gallery featuring Indigenous artists and collections. A group tour or shared experience can spark meaningful conversations while helping employees learn more about the artists, communities, and stories behind the work.
For remote or distributed teams, virtual exhibits and online programs offer accessible ways to connect with Indigenous art and history from anywhere. For example, the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico offers online exhibitions and virtual resources to explore a variety of Indigenous art and cultural topics.
You can also find additional virtual tour options throughout this post to create ongoing opportunities for cultural learning and connection.
Support Indigenous Businesses
Supporting Native American-owned businesses is an impactful way to participate in Native American Heritage Month. That’s because your purchase is a tangible investment in economic empowerment for Indigenous communities.
Look to Native American-owned companies for client and team gifts and other vendor needs. Browse gifts from Indigenous-owned companies recommended by Parade as well as the Native Hawaiian Business Directory. Plus, treat the team to lunch with 19 Places to Savor Indigenous Cuisine in North America.
Ongoing Culture & Inclusion Training
Extend your team’s learning with ongoing cultural training sessions throughout the year. This might include:
- Celebrating other cultural holidays such as Black History Month, AANHPI Heritage Month, Pride Month, and more
- Setting aside time for quarterly work culture workshops to keep momentum going
- Offering team training on inclusivity-related topics like neurodiversity and disability pride
- Hosting custom events based on your team’s unique culture needs and goals
Pro tip: survey your team members to better understand which activities and topics they’re most interested in. You can also work with an external consultant or agency to survey your team members on existing outlooks, habits, and challenges related to culture and inclusion efforts.
Virtual Celebration Ideas
As you consider how to celebrate Native American Heritage Month, remember that virtual celebrations can help everyone participate. Remove barriers of travel and geographic location to honor the occasion together, across time zones and across the world!
Read on to discover digital resources and events related to Indigenous Heritage Month.
Digital Learning Resources
Learn more about Native American culture with the digital resources below. Together with your team, explore and share Native American Heritage Month facts, quotes, stories, and additional learning opportunities during the month of November.
- Team Building Program: Indigenous & Native American Heritage
- Official Native American Heritage Month website
- Map of Indigenous lands in the U.S. by Native Land Digital, an Indigenous-led nonprofit in Canada
- Mukurtu, a “free, mobile, and open source platform built with Indigenous communities to manage and share digital cultural heritage”
- Ted Talk: Why Indigenous Languages Matter and What We Can Do to Save Them
Virtual Cultural Experiences
Virtual tours, exhibitions, and cultural experiences are an enriching way to experience Native American heritage, even from afar. Explore Indigenous artwork, craftsmanship, and history through online activities. A few ideas:
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center virtual programs: watch the “View into the Collection” video series with the center’s curator, take a virtual mural tour, and more from this museum in New Mexico.
- Native American Voice gallery tour at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology: six themed video tours invite viewers to learn more about Native American histories and long-held traditions.
- Hawaiian Culture podcasts feature several episodes exploring Hawaiian values, hula, music, arts, and more.
- Native American Heritage Month virtual team building session: Learn about Indigenous history and get an in-depth look at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park, with 12,000+ years of continuous habitation. The event is hosted by two studio hosts and a live-streaming guide, including a leading Indigenous scholar who is an enrolled member of the Atakapa-Ishak Nation and an Indigenous scholar who is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation.
Recognizing Indigenous Contributions
Native American people and communities, including Native Hawaiian people and Native Alaskans, have made countless contributions across fields like science and technology, art, literature, and conservation. Their innovations and long-held knowledge have shaped our daily life and continue to influence contemporary society.
From agricultural techniques and environmental stewardship to artistic expression and storytelling, it’s important to recognize Native American tribes and people for their ingenuity, artistry, and environmental stewardship.
Scientific and Technological Innovations
Native Americans have a long history of technological innovation, particularly in the areas of agriculture and medicine. Indigenous communities developed advanced farming techniques such as the Three Sisters method, which involves planting corn, beans, and squash together as symbiotic crops to improve soil health and maximize yields.
Indigenous knowledge is also credited with the development of plant-based medicines, many of which are still used today. Read about traditional plant medicine from the World Health Organization and the U.S. Forest Service. Additionally, Native American feats of engineering, such as the construction of sophisticated irrigation systems and cliff dwellings, demonstrate advanced understandings of architecture and environmental management.
To explore how Native American communities have interacted with land and nature throughout history, read Braiding Sweetgrass. This book is by author and botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer, an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Through beautiful prose, she weaves together “Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants” for a read that’s as moving as it is informative.
Artistic and Literary Influence
Native American art and literature are rich with symbolism and historical narratives that reflect diverse traditions, languages, and worldviews. Artistic mediums of expression include pottery, weaving, beadwork, carving, and more, each with distinct regional styles and techniques that have influenced contemporary art movements. Sign up for one of the virtual experiences or museum tours throughout this post to learn more about Indigenous influences on the arts and modern society.
Additionally, many communities practice oral storytelling as a way to pass down histories, myths, and cultural values from ancestors. If you’re looking to utilize storytelling and written language to drive investment in Indigenous communities, look to the First Nations Digital Storytelling Kit for helpful resources and examples.
Contemporary Native American authors like Sherman Alexie and Louise Erdrich have brought indigenous perspectives to mainstream audience, enriching American literature with their unique points of view.
Environmental Stewardship
Native American conservation and land practices are deeply rooted in spiritual and cultural beliefs, emphasizing harmony with nature.
Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) encompasses sustainable land management practices that have been passed down from ancestors to new generations over hundreds of thousands of years. This includes practices such as controlled burns to maintain healthy ecosystems and prevent larger wildfires.
Many environmentalists credit Indigenous communities for pioneering sustainable fishing and hunting techniques that ensure the long-term health of wildlife populations. Their holistic approach to environmental stewardship has influenced modern conservation efforts, promoting biodiversity and ecological balance.
These practices underscore the importance of integrating indigenous wisdom into contemporary environmental policies. Read more from Scientific American about what conservationists can learn from Indigenous communities.
Embracing Native American Heritage
Native American Heritage Month activities and celebrations are an excellent opportunity to honor the rich history and contributions of Indigenous Americans. By implementing the ideas in this post, you can foster an inclusive and respectful workplace culture that values diversity and promotes learning.
Continue learning with our guide on how to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day and 8+ Ways to Celebrate Native American Heritage Day at work.
Take the initiative this November – and all year long – to learn about Native American history, amplify Indigenous voices, and encourage colleagues to join in this meaningful celebration.
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