November is Native American Heritage Month and we are celebrating the rich and diverse cultures, traditions and contributions of Indigenous people. The celebration moved from a week to a full month in 1995. 

In 2018, Oklahoma City declared the second Monday in October to be solely Indigenous People’s Day. Formerly Columbus Day, Indigenous People’s Day has evolved as a response to the harm caused to Indigenous people through celebrating Christopher Columbus and other Europeans who oppressed and committed crimes against the Native Americans in the United States. 

Our friends with Oklahoma City Public Schools Native American Student Services have compiled and provided resources so that both Native and non-Native families can learn more about their own heritage, find information about other tribes and cultures and share these opportunities for learning with their teachers and educators.

Oklahoma City Public Schools Native American Student Services department materials:

• From Trails to Truth: Oklahoma History from a Native American Perspective: This resource booklet for teachers to teach Oklahoma history from a Native perspective is also great for families. Incorporate lessons into homeschooling, virtual school days or as a full family learning experience.
• A Story of Survival: The English and Wampanoag: A Thanksgiving lesson plan booklet from a Native perspective.
• Native Knowledge: Thanksgiving Story: ways to teach Thanksgiving that celebrate Native perspective and things to avoid
• Native Knowledge: Our Culture is Not a Costume: learn about Native regalia and how to avoid cultural appropriation

Additional resources:

• The Osage Nation: K- 12 Lessons
• Chickasaw Nation Curriculum
• Oklahoma State Department of Education: Indian Education
• The National Museum of the American Indian: Native Knowledge 360
• Oklahoma History Center
• The National Museum of the American Indian: Americans Exhibit
• Illuminative: Native Education for All 
• The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Liichokoshkomo exhibit 
• Virtual gallery tour of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center
• Classroom resources and lesson plans for teachers from the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Department of Education

Articles focused on Native heritage: 

• 7 books to read during Native Heritage Month and beyond
• Powerful Powwows: 10 Native Events in Oklahoma
• Teaching Beyond the Land Run: Centering the Indigenous Experience
• One Place, Many Nations – the new First Americans Museum in OKC
• Commitment to Culture: Diana Fields’ story
• Raising OKC Kids Episode 32 – Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day
• Take an Art-cation: Discover adventure, culture & history through public Native art
• All about Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Eagle Aviary: Four ways to prepare for a visit
• A round-up of Native heritage events happening in the OKC metro and beyond.

Have a resource to add? Email us at tips@metrofamilymagazine.com.