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Carlie Pierre
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Observed every November, National Native American Heritage Month honors and celebrates the rich histories, diverse cultures, and contributions of more than 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States, as well as the indigenous communities across the Caribbean and North, Central, and South America. The observance includes Native American Heritage Day, recognized on the Friday following the National Day of Mourning (Thanksgiving Day).
Native American Heritage Month celebrates and honors a living and evolving cultural landscape, often described as a “beautiful mosaic” of traditions, languages, and identities that remain deeply connected to the land. It is also a time to look toward the future, uplift our tribal communities, and encourage meaningful allyship rooted in respect, cultural preservation, and protecting Native lands and lifeways.
Salem State University is on Indigenous land
The land occupied by Salem State University is part of the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Massachusett tribe. We acknowledge the genocide and forced removal of the Massachusett tribe and their kin from their summer home in Nâmkek.
We recognize the ongoing colonization and dispossession of Indigenous homelands. We respect and honor the Massachusett tribe and the many Indigenous Peoples who continue to care for the land upon which we gather. We recognize our responsibility to this land and commit to continuously learning and sharing the history of the Massachusett tribe, who have been and remain here. Learn more at salemstate.edu/LandAcknowledgement
Campus Programs
Indigenous Ink: A Fireside Chat with Miciah Stasis
Wednesday, November 4, 5:30-7:30 pm | Ellison Campus Center Underground Room
Join us for a discussion about indigenous hand-poke tattooing with local Native American tattoo artist Miciah Stasis!
Hosted by the Center for Justice and Liberation
NAHM Lunch & Learn: A Non-Native's Guide to Allyship
Monday, November 23, 11:30 am-1:00 pm | Ellison Campus Center MLK Jr. Room
What does it mean to be an ally to Indigenous peoples and communities? How can non-Native individuals move beyond good intentions to practice meaningful, informed, and accountable allyship? Join us for an engaging Lunch and Learn that examines common misconceptions, explores the impacts of colonization and ongoing systems of oppression, and introduces practical strategies for informed allyship.
Participants will reflect on their own positionality, consider the importance of Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination, and identify meaningful ways to support Indigenous communities through everyday actions, institutional practices, and sustained relationships. A delicious seasonal lunch will be served!
Hosted by the Center for Equity, Education and Belonging in partnership with Thomas Green, Tribal Council Member of The Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag, and Tanya Lane, Teacher and Community Partner, the Massachusett Tribe in Salem.
Community Programs
On This Ground: Being and Belonging in America
Ongoing exhibition at the Peabody Essex Museum
Bringing two extraordinary collections of Native American and American art together for the first time in our institution's history, this long-term installation celebrates artistic achievements across time, space, and worldviews.
Located in the Nancy and George Putnam Gallery and Barbara Weld Putnam Gallery, the 250 artworks on display span from 10,000 years ago to the present and demonstrate a range of voices, modes of expression, cultures, and media. The new installation will be responsive to these urgent times by giving our public an opportunity to grapple with the links, continuities, and disjunctions of our complex histories in America in order to shape a more connected and empathetic present and future. By rethinking America’s histories, visitors are asked to consider how we might envision a better future together.
Beverly 400+ Educational PowWow at Naumkeag
Sunday, November 8, 12-5 pm
Post Sports Science & Fitness Center, Beverly, MA
Join Beverly 400+ and the Ohketeau Cultural Center for an afternoon of traditional Native American dance, drumming, storytelling, and crafts. This family-friendly celebration honors Indigenous culture, history, and community through Native American dance, drumming, storytelling, and crafts. Free and open to all. Reserve your spot today!
Hosted by Endicott College and presented in collaboration with Beverly 400+ and the Ohketeau Cultural Center
PEM Pals Thanksgiving Stories
Friday, November 13, 10:30-11:30 am
Join us for a reading of Keepunumuk: Weeȃchumun's Thanksgiving Story. Written and illustrated by four Indigenous creators, this beautiful picture book honors the history and traditions surrounding the story of the first Thanksgiving.
Discover the first Thanksgiving through Wampanoag eyes, as the Native Americans teach the Pilgrims to grow the three sisters — corn, beans, and squash — for a successful harvest. This fall favorite is written by Danielle Greendeer (Mashpee Wampanoag), Anthony Perry (Chickasaw), and Alexis Bunten (Unangan/Yup’ik) and beautifully illustrated by Garry Meeches Sr. (Anishinaabe). Designed for children (5 and under) and their caregivers.
Resources
Smithsonian Native American Heritage Month Events and Resources
Indigenous American Artists: Collection Connections
Indigenous Peoples of the Americas: A Guide to Resources at the Library of Congress