Native American Heritage Month observances highlight culture and resilience

November marks Native American Heritage Month, an annual period dedicated to celebrating the culture, sovereignty, and history of Indigenous peoples. While the official designation was established through a congressional declaration signed by President George H. W. Bush, many communities emphasize that their survival and resistance against erasure and forced assimilation are ongoing processes that extend beyond a single month.

In Los Angeles, El Camino College kicked off the month with a cultural display by the Wildhorse Native American Association, featuring traditional song, dance, drums, and regalia. The college's Social Justice Center has scheduled several events for the remainder of the month, including a screening of the documentary series “People of the West,” which examines California history through an Indigenous lens, and a reading event focused on Native American authors and poets.