A Time to Reflect on Native American Heritage

Posted by Erica Lake on November 14th, 2022 Posted in: Public Health, Public Libraries, Resource Sharing
Tags: health information resources, Native American Health Resources, Native American Heritage, Native American Heritage Month

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November is Native American Heritage Month. As the National Congress of American Indians notes, it’s not only an occasion for all of us to celebrate the diverse cultures, traditions, histories, and important contributions of American Indians. It is also a fitting time to educate each other about tribes, raise awareness of the challenges American Indians have faced historically and face today, and share how tribal citizens are addressing these challenges.

American Indians in the US are often identified as BIPOC and viewed as one race or ethnic group among many, but it is important to remember that they are also sovereign nations with distinct governments. Currently, there are 574 federally recognized American Indian nations, with 229 located in Alaska alone. The Region 6 states of Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are home to 32.

This summer, I began making in-person visits to the eight tribal college libraries in the region. I began with the three located in my home state of Minnesota, and in September I visited one of the two libraries located in Wisconsin. The librarians are truly forces in their field – they address the needs of their students, faculty, and administrators while also serving as public libraries for their reservations. I’m looking forward to continuing my visits to the three libraries located in Michigan in the Spring, and am eager to identify new ways NNLM can support their health information needs.

Many local and national events are occurring throughout the month – just a few are listed below. You’ll also find links to resources for information on Native American tribes, their health, and ways everyone can support authentic indigenous representation.

 

Events

• Native American Heritage Month events presented by The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• Native American Heritage Month annual lecture – Protecting the Health of Future Generations Through Community-Based Research and Actions: Working in Partnership with the Tribes of Sivuqaq, Alaska
• NNLM webinar – Systemic Racism in Science Communication

 

Resources

• NIH Tribal Health Research Office (THRO) and their Honoring Health newsletter
• NIH Tribal Consultation Policy: Fostering Consistent, Meaningful Engagement with Tribal Nations
• Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH)
• CDC – Healthy Tribes
• HHS Office of Minority Health’s Native American Heritage Month website
• NIH’s Science, Health, and Public Trust tips for communicating more effectively with or about American Indian and Alaska Native people/AN people
• American Indian and Alaska Native Health, Health Topics page, MedlinePlus
• NLM traveling exhibit – Native Voices: Native People’s Concepts of Health and Illness
• The National Library of Medicine’s Native American outreach portfolio: a descriptive overview
• National Indian Health Board
• Native Health Database
• Tribal College Librarians Professional Development Institute
• IllumiNative