“The marker of a ‘month’ indicates a limited time offer,” explains Dr. Nichole Keway Biber, a member of the Anishinaabe tribe in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
As we recognize Native American Heritage Month throughout November, she acknowledges that feelings about it can be complicated.
“The sense that this recognition is perhaps used as a consolation is disturbing: the proverbial bone thrown by a dominant culture still normalizing … exploitative and extractive policies.”
Native American and Indigenous communities continue to face challenges that disproportionately impact them. According to Hue’s recent State of Inequity report, Indigenous Americans are three times as likely to have experienced workplace discrimination related to their race or ethnicity, and they are nearly three times as likely to have suffered financial or economic hardship, with 66% reporting that their salary has not kept up with inflation.
November 30th marks Native American women’s Equal Pay Day, which recognizes that Native American women make only 55 cents to the dollar compared to what non-Hispanic white men make in a year.
We’re seeing increased recognition and amplification of the issues that matter most to Indigenous communities. For instance, Zillennial creators across social media are demonstrating the relationship between improving systems for Indigenous people to advocacy across the board, such as in education or the environment, while also engaging in solidarity and allyship with those who face displacement.
haritie Ropati, an advocate focused on the inclusion of Indigenous people, leaders, and their events in academic curricula, who spoke at a recent White House tribal youth event has connected Indigenous American struggles with those abroad, tweeting, “I hope that in our lifetime we see a free Palestine. My liberation is not possible without yours.” The latter sentiment is being echoed in activist messaging more broadly as well.
Although to a limited extent, major brands are also beginning to show more public support for Native American Heritage Month.
National Geographic is recognizing the importance of Indigenous heritage this month with a dedicated effort, with the production of a collection of photos, videos, and articles from its archives, featuring powerful visuals celebrating Native Americans and other Indigenous peoples.
Still, Keway Biber approaches the month “as an opportunity to speak honestly as an Anishinaabe, proud to be Mishiike Dodem (Turtle Clan), and ever ready to help us meet our collective responsibilities … at this critical time.”
She adds that with extra attention on her community this month, November is a good time to “keep on being exactly who we are.”
“Native American Heritage Month means that more people will be paying attention. That means more ears that might hear us say something that will resonate, and thereby help our more-than-human relatives, our children, and our elders.”
