National Native American Heritage Month
Miisaahaki eehkwa peemhkawaaciki neeminki awiikawaanki oowaaha ašiihkiwi
(The print of my ancestor’s houses are everywhere to be seen in this portion. – Mihšihkinaahkwa ‘Chief Little Turtle’, Treaty of Greeneville, 1795)
National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in November. It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American and Alaska Native communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. This year’s theme for National Native American Heritage Month is “Weaving together our past, present and future.”, and perhaps nowhere in North America is that common thread more prevalent than in Kiihkayonki, the place we now call Fort Wayne, where the Myaamia people persist today.
As Americans, our past, present and future are all connected.
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. We celebrate Indian Country with its remarkable diversity of American Indian and Alaska Native cultures and peoples while remembering and honoring our veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend our Nation.
(Pictured: Rob Miller’s child Wren, enrolled member of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma)