Celebrate our nation’s Indigenous cultures this Native American Heritage Month
November is National Native American Heritage Month. It is a time dedicated to celebrating the traditions, cultures, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation.
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) have been issued each year since 1994.
As well as being a time for reflection, Native American Heritage Month offers an opportunity to act: many Indigenous and community leaders invite people to learn more about their culture and the issues that affect their communities today, including climate change, tribal sovereignty and land rights.
Indigenous culture at UW
UW’s Office of Tribal Relations coordinates the government to government relationship between the University of Washington and American Indian tribes across Washington state and northwest region.
- Take the Indigenous Walking Tour – dedicated to Indigenous students — past, present, and future — UW alum Owen Oliver created a walking tour that explores the natural landscape, history and Indigenous Knowledge Systems at UW Seattle.
- Meet Indigenous Husky alumni, staff and students
UW’s Burke Museum curates an impressive gallery of Northwest Native art, as well as a collection of Indigenous artifacts that one can watch museology experts curate through glass partitions. The Burke Museum’s outdoor installation Guests of the Great River greets visitors as they arrive at the museum’s east entrance. The Burke is also home to the Bill Holm Center is a globally accessible learning center for the study of Native arts of the Northwest at the Burke Museum.
- The Burke Museum Native American Advisory Board provides essential advice and direction as to the Burke Museum’s efforts in a number of important areas including exhibits, collections, community outreach, repatriation, education, research, and collaborative relations with tribal and museum programs.’
The work of local Native American artists is also displayed in various campus buildings, including Founders Hall and Miller Hall.
wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House, a longhouse-style facility on the UW Seattle campus, provides a learning and gathering space for American Indian and Alaska Native students, faculty and staff, as well as others from various cultures and communities to come together in a welcoming environment.
UW Native Life centralizes the many Native-focused resources available on the University of Washington’s campus in Seattle.
First Nations @ UW is an undergraduate, intertribal registered student organization at the UW that hosts events both on and off campus with the intention of educating the community about Native cultures, spreading awareness to issues affecting the Native community and upholding tribal customs and traditions.
First Nations @ UW hosts the annual UW Spring Powwow, a welcoming intertribal gathering that features the music, dance, art, stories, culture and cuisine of the region’s Indigenous peoples.
Southern Lushootseed language courses were added to UW’s world languages offerings in 2019 through the efforts of lecturer and Puyallup tribal member Tami Hohn. The language was once spoken widely by the Coast Salish peoples and has distinct Northern and Southern dialects. Read more in UW Magazine.
The Indigenous Wellness Research Institute seeks to support the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples to achieve full and complete health and wellness by collaborating in decolonizing research and knowledge building and sharing.
A Memorandum of Understanding Between Northwest Regional Tribes and University of Washington was enacted for the purpose of enhancing and sustaining the government-to-government relationship between the participating tribes and the UW.
Support through UWCFD
Consider making a one-time gift or setting up a monthly payroll deduction through the UW Combined Fund Drive to support a member organization working with and for Indigenous communities in our region:
wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ Intellectual House – a longhouse-style facility on the UW Seattle campus that provides a learning and gathering space for Native American students, faculty and staff, as well as others from various cultures and communities (Charity Code: 1481183).
Duwamish Tribe – In 1983, after more than 100 years of broken United States treaty promises, the Dkhw’Duw’Absh established Duwamish Tribal Services as a non-profit 501[C]3 organization to provide social and cultural services to the Duwamish Tribal community (Charity Code: 0337178).
- Consider a monthly contribution to Real Rent Duwamish, which calls on people who live and work in Seattle to make rent payments to the Duwamish Tribe in solidarity with the First Peoples of this land. Set up your donation through the Duwamish Tribe (above) and designate ‘Real Rent’ in the program designation box.
Native American Rights Fund – provides legal representation to Native American tribes, organizations and individuals in cases of national significance involving tribal sovereignty, natural resources and human rights (Charity Code: 0316272).
Red Eagle Soaring Native Youth Theatre – Founded in 1991 to produce and support traditional and contemporary Native American performing arts, serving especially the youth of the Seattle/King County Native American/Alaskan Native Community (Charity Code: 0315118).
American Indian Science and Engineering Society – Works to substantially increase American Indian/Alaska Native representation in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math) as students, professionals, mentors, and leaders (Charity Code: 1480408).
Running Strong for American Indian Youth – Assists Native American families with food, water, basic relief and support services for needy families including programs fostering self-reliance (Charity Code: 0524368).
United Indians of All Tribes Foundation – Provides culturally appropriate social, educational, employment and cultural services to American Indians, Alaska Natives and others in need throughout the Puget Sound region (Charity Code: 0316536).
Other ways to give in the UW community
Support Indigenous art through the Burke Museum’s Bill Holm Center for the Study of Northwest Native Art.
The University of Washington acknowledges the Coast Salish peoples of this land, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations.