November is National Native American Heritage Month, a crucial time for our community to move beyond reflection and actively center the enduring contributions, brilliance, and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples who have cared for these lands for generations.

UMBC is situated on the ancestral lands of the Piscataway and Susquehannock peoples. While we acknowledge the historical significance of this land, we must also recognize that citizens of countless Indigenous nations continue to live, work, and lead in this region and across the nation. This month, we invite our community to honor not just the past, but the vital and ongoing presence, diverse perspectives, and unwavering voices of all Native and Indigenous peoples.

Native and Indigenous communities are not a single entity; they encompass a rich diversity of over 574 federally recognized (including many more unrecognized) nations, hundreds of languages, and millennia of unique cultures.

The contributions of Native and Indigenous peoples are foundational to this nation, yet they are routinely unrecognized, underappreciated, and erased. This erasure from history books, media, and public consciousness is not accidental; it is a profound injustice that continues to limit the visibility and influence of Native individuals and communities today.

We must actively work to restore the visibility and respect that Native and Indigenous peoples deserve by acknowledging their profound impact in areas such as environmental stewardship. How Native communities have historically engaged in sustainable agriculture, conservation practices, and embodied ecological knowledge that informs modern environmentalism. 

It is essential to understand that Native nations and peoples are still fighting to be fully seen and to have their rights respected. Their struggles for tribal sovereignty, land rights, healthcare, and resource protection often remain on the political margins.

The historical call to honor Native peoples dates back over a century, beginning with efforts like the American Indian Association's plan for an American Indian Day in the early 1900s. Since 1990, when President George H. W. Bush signed the first resolution, the observance has evolved, but the need for active recognition remains urgent.

This Native American Heritage Month, let us commit to celebrating and elevating the resilience, leadership, and untold stories of Native peoples, ensuring their crucial contributions and needs are not unseen.

Join the Indigenous Peoples Union on Saturday, November 15th, from 2 PM to 6 PM for BAIC's 49th Annual Powwow at the Timonium Fairgrounds. As part of IPU's initiative for bridging on and off-campus relationships, they're offering transportation to the annual powwow hosted by the Baltimore American Indian Center! This will be the 49th year that the center has hosted its annual powwow, marking 49 years of sacred intertribal celebrations of life, heritage, and community! They're excited to honor these traditions with sharing food, dances, and just spending time with one another. To learn more about the event and IPU, check out the original myUMBC post here. You can also follow their Instagram page for more events and information. 

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Looking to engage locally? Check out the Baltimore American Indian Center. In addition to the BAIC's 49th Annual Powwow, the center holds a museum where guests can learn more about local history, view exhibitions, and enroll in classes/programs. 

Looking to learn more about Maryland's Native and Indigenous resources, click here for the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs.