It’s always inspiring to explore the beauty and significance, depth and diversity of Indigenous cultures and peoples.
It’s especially timely during November’s National Native American Heritage Month. We invite you to join our month-long celebration.
“What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S. has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.”
Image from 2017 C&I Photo Contest
You’ll learn that on nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov — a collaborative project of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and U.S. National Archives and Records Administration — where you can dig in for all kinds of informative Native American content.
You can also dig in right here at C&I throughout November as we commemorate National Native American Heritage Month with some of the best of our own content.
We’ll look at the past, present, and future, highlighting Native voices across the West and beyond.
On the screen, we’ll visit favorites like Wes Studi, Mo Brings Plenty, and Gil Birmingham, emerging stars like Prey’s Amber Midthunder and 1883’s Jeremy Gauna.
In the dirt, we’ll discover rodeo greats like 1916 Pendleton Round-Up phenom Jackson Sundown and contemporary bull riders Keyshawn Whitehorse and and JaCauy Hale. Then we’ll visit the 48th annual Indian National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
There’s former Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who has distinguished himself not just as a politician but also as a jewelry maker, and former U.S. poet laureate Joy Harjo, who has distinguished herself not just as a writer but also as a musician.
There are amazing milestones: Deb Haaland now serves as the secretary of the interior, and Nicole Mann recently became the first Native American woman in space as the mission commander of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission to the International Space Station.
Award-winning chefs like Sean Sherman and Freddie Bitsoie. Renowned writers like Sherman Alexie and Tommy Orange. Fashion designers like Amber-Dawn Bear Robe, Naiomi Glasses, and Orlando Dugi. Innovative artists like photographer Wendy Red Star and painter Oscar Howe. Musicians like Vincent Neil Emerson and guitar virtuoso Cary Morin. Athletes like track Olympian Jim Thorpe and hoop dancer Cody Boettner. Must-visit institutions like the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City and the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington and New York. Historical sites like Chaco Canyon and Spiro Mounds.
More Top Stories:
- Indigenous Creator Ruth-Ann Thorn Celebrates Natural Beauty With Skincare Brand
- A Look Back At The Indigenous Fashion Collective Gala And Block Party
- Indigenous Fashion Is Skyrocketing To The Top
- How To Respectfully Buy And Wear Indigenous Fashion
- An Indigenous Guide To Travel
From sea to shining sea, from the pages and platforms of Cowboys & Indians, it’s a never-ending celebration of the wonderful richness that is Indigenous America.
