Download Native American Heritage Month Poster 2019 (4.5MB PDF)
National Native American Heritage Month - 2019
Welcome to Native American Heritage Month 2019 at DOI! On October 31, President Trump issued a proclamation designating November 2019 as National Native American Heritage Month. This November and every month, we celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our Nation.
An exciting schedule of speakers and performers who will enlighten, educate, and entertain our employees across Interior is lined up for the month. We will also be honoring our veterans and raising awareness about missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Videos of Ceremony
November 12 - Opening Ceremonies
Our keynote speaker at the Opening Ceremonies for the 2019 National Native American Heritage Month Celebration was Nick Hanson. Nick is Inupiaq, an #AlaskanNative, from the town of Unalakleet, Alaska who earned the nickname “Eskimo Ninja” from his multiple appearances as a competitor on the television show American Ninja Warrior. In addition to being an athlete, he is also a motivational speaker, coach and mentor, and is especially passionate about engaging today’s youth.
November 12 - Opening Ceremonies - Brigadier General Joane K. Mathews
Brigadier General Joane K. Mathews (Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) provided the keynote presentation Nov. 12 at Indian Affairs Veterans Honoring Day presentation.
November 13 - Message from the Department of the Interior kicking of Native American Heritage Month
President Trump proclaimed November as National Native American Heritage Month. At the Department of the Interior, we are committed to upholding our trust responsibilities to Native peoples and advancing tribal sovereignty and self-determination, as well as honoring the historic and significant contributions American Indians and Alaska Natives have made to our Nation.
November 19 - Red Shawl Day
On November 19, we asked all Interior employees to wear red to draw attention to the horrible acts of violence committed against American Indian and Alaska Native people, particularly women and children. Red symbolizes the loss of sacred life blood through violence.
Additional Links:
- Presidential Proclamation on National Native American Heritage Month, 2019
- November is National American Indian Heritage Month - 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 join in paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.
Social Media Campaigns - Join Us!
During November, there are two social media campaigns we encourage people to participate in as a way of adding their voice to Native American Heritage Month.
November 15, 2019 - Rock Your Mocs
Established in 2011, Rock Your Mocs, is a worldwide Indigenous Peoples, American Indian and Alaska Native grassroots movement held annually in the U.S. during Native American Heritage Month (November). This social media campaign is held to inspire cultural pride for American Indians and Alaska Natives and to showcase individual tribal identity that also honors our ancestors.
It’s easy to participate, simply wear moccasins to school, to work or wherever your day takes you. Or if a person doesn’t own or can’t wear mocs, or perhaps your tribe didn’t wear mocs, you may wear a Turquoise Awareness Ribbon instead. Take pictures and share them on your social media pages.
- #RockYourMocs or
- #RockYourMocs2019
November 19, 2019 - Red Shawl Day
The Violence against Women Act of 2005 clarified that the unique legal relationship of the United States to Indian tribes creates a federal trust responsibility to assist tribal governments in safeguarding the lives of Native women. On November 19, we ask all employees to wear red to draw attention to the horrible acts of violence committed against American Indian and Alaska Native people, particularly women and children. Red symbolizes the loss of sacred life blood through violence. Add to the bigger conversation by using
- #RedShawlDay.
Social Media Hashtags Throughout November
November 11 – Veterans Day
American Indians and Alaska Natives answer the call of duty and defend our Nation's precious liberties at one of the highest rates of any ethnic group in the United States, serving admirably in every branch of our military. Today, 31,000 courageous men and women from American Indian and Alaska Native communities serve on active duty in our Armed Forces.
- #VeteransDay2019
- @NativeVets - Native American Veterans Assistance is a small nonprofit helping Native American veterans on reservations with a hand-up.
November 15 - Rock Your Mocs 2019
“Rock Your Mocs” Day (#RockYourMocs2019) throughout Indian Country. Let’s celebrate the beauty and diversity of tribal cultures all over America by putting our best moccasined foot forward at work and everywhere!
- #RockYourMocs
- #RockYourMocs2019
November 19 - Red Shawl Day
A day of remembering and honoring all missing and murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.
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#RedShawlDay
November. 28 - Thanksgiving
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#GiveThanks
November 29 - Native American Heritage Day
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#NativeAmericanHeritageDay
Main Interior Building Planned Events
Download Native American Heritage Month Poster 2019 (4.5MB PDF)
