November: National Native American Heritage Month

The month of November is recognized in the U.S. as National Native American Heritage Month. We know that lesson plans for this month are already in the works. We would ask that those lesson plans do not include any caricatures of American Indians that would be colored or require students to dress up or make faux traditional clothing (Paper bag vests, headdresses with feathers, etc.). The use of feathers or certain types of clothing has sacred and significant meaning to Native American peoples. If you are concerned about whether current Native American lesson plans/activities are appropriate please contact our school district’s Title VI Coordinator, Meredith Lam (meredithl@provo.edu). Meredith oversees the American Indian/Alaska Native Education Program. Thank you!

Below are some additional resources that could be helpful:

• Smithsonian, National Museum of the American Indian
• Understanding Thanksgiving
• Utah Educational Network (UEN)
• Scholastic Recommendations
• PBS Native American Heritage Month (Lesson Plans)
• Native Peoples Approved Book Recommendations 
• BYU Native American Curriculum Initiative (Lesson Plans)