November is Native American Heritage Month and today is the annual Native American Heritage Day.
This month is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the heritage, culture, and value of Native Americans through a historical and modern lens. It is an opportunity for the whole country to appreciate and learn about the rich, unique history of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives; additionally, it is a chance to acknowledge and thank the community for their long history of positive contributions to the country’s values, culture, and land. Perhaps most importantly, it is a time to reflect on the obstacles and challenges that they have endured in the past as well as in this modern-day.
Below are some fast facts about the Native American and Alaskan Native population in the USA:
- As of 2020, there are 574 federally recognized Indian tribes.
- Native Land Digital is an indigenous-led organization that helps map territories, languages, and treaties across the globe; use their online map to find the history of the land you live on.
- As of 2020, there are 324 distinct, federally recognized American Indian reservations (including federal reservations and off-reservation trust land).