November is federally recognized as National Native American Heritage Month. During this month, American Indian and Alaska Natives are honored and celebrated for their rich and varied cultures, traditions, history, and societal contributions. This recognition gives us an opportunity to become more educated about Native Americans, increase our knowledge of unique challenges faced by this population, and better understand how historical events have impacted Native people.
Informing ourselves about Native American history, visiting museums dedicated to the preservation of Native American cultures, and acknowledging the land we live on are a few ways that we can celebrate National Native American Month.
DeKalb and the surrounding areas are sitting on the traditional homelands of Anishinaabe peoples—Niswi-mishkodewinan, also known as the Council of the Three Fires—comprised of the Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Odawa. Other Indigenous peoples who call this land home include the Sac and Fox, Kickapoo, Peoria, Miami and Sioux. This land is a result of the Treaty of St. Louis (1804) and the Second Treaty of Prairie du Chien (1829).
Take a second to learn more about Native American Heritage and stories with some of these reads:
If these titles caught your attention, click on the link for more information! (You can also place a hold with your library card!)