November 2022

November is Native American Heritage Month and is also referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

“The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.”     - Statement from the National Congress of American Indians

Activities that celebrate American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month can create sustained interest in learning about the distinct and unique cultural heritage of American Indians, setting the tone and creating connections for a year of integrating Indian Education for All across Montana University System Campuses. 

Below are links to information across the Montana University System that are designed to support a greater understanding of efforts across the System to grow American Indian student success: 

American Indian Student Success Dashboard

AIMA One Pager

Indian Education for All for One MUS Course

Indian Education for All UM

Resources for Native American Indian Students UM

Montana State University Indian Education for All

Native American Education and Outreach Projects MSU

Little River Institute MSU-N

AIMA Action Plans

Additional Resources

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo and New Resources from the Library of Congress

The Montana University System works closely with the Montana Office of Public Instruction on American Indian student success initiatives. In addition to advising on this document, the OPI Indian Education Division created the following resource list to assist schools in their recognition of American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.   OPI Resources for American Indian Heritage Month - November, 2021

 

From the Director:  As the Montana University System continues to grow American Indian student enrollment and retention on our campuses, we seek to find new ways to create a campus culture that recognizes and celebrates American Indian students. I encourage you to use these resources to celebrate Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month. 

Additionally, I want to thank Mike Jetty, Kate Shanley, Kathi Meier and Ariel Donohue for their help in the development of this important resource.

Sincerely,

Angela McLean

 

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