Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month and as United Methodists, we are called to reflect, learn and engage in tangible acts of healing with Native/indigenous people. Use this month as a starting point for learning and acting with these resources from the General Commission on Religion and Race.

In 1990, U.S. President George H.W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamation were issued in subsequent years.

 

The term Native Americans may refer to the entirety of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. There are more than 560 tribes and nations in the U.S., with more than 40 of them represented in The United Methodist Church.  (Also represented in our denomination are indigenous people on other continents, such as the Aetas of the Philippines.)

 

Among the native people in the Americas are:

• Alaska Natives, including Eskimo-Aleut and Inupiat peoples
• Native Hawaiians, native of the islands now declared in the state of Hawaii
• Taino, the indigenous people of Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico
• Aboriginal people in Canada, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

NOTE: Some Native Americans take offense to the name, “Indian” because it was bestowed by European explorers to the Americas who mistakenly believed they had landed in the country of India. Others embrace the name, “Indian.” It is best to ask people what they prefer to be called.