Native American Heritage Month at Georgia State
About This Month
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate, recognize, and inform the public about the cultures, traditions, histories, art, and contributions of Native Americans/American Indians and Alaska Natives. The month was first designated in the United States in 1990.
Such recognition, however, dates back further with state and organizational recognition of Indigenous peoples days and commemorations occurring at the turn of the twentieth century. For example, Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian and co-founder of the Society of American Indians in 1911, organized American Indian Day beginning in 1915. More recently, Columbus Day, which is recognized on the second Monday of October, has been reclaimed in cities across the United States as Indigenous People's Day.
In the 2020 U.S. Census, 7.1 million individuals reported American Indian/Native American/Alaska Native heritage. The federal U.S. government recognizes 574 tribes, with additional tribes recognized by state governments across the country.
Native Americans in North Georgia
For histories, links to modern first nations' governments/councils, guides, maps and other materials, click here.
Event Highlights
Honoring Native American & Indigenous Cultures
All Month Long
Instagram: gsu_cci
Check out CCI's Instagram all November long to learn about Native American Heritage Month (NAHM), its history and events going on around campus.
CCI at the Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site
Saturday, Nov. 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site
813 Indian Mound Rd SE, Cartersville, GA 30120
Cultures, Communities & Inclusion
This 54-acre historic site protects six earthen mounds, a plaza and the site of a village where several thousand Native Americans from the Mississippian culture lived from 1000 to 1550 C.E. (A.D.). At the site's museum, new exhibits are almost complete following work to repatriate artifacts to culturally affiliated tribes, including the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, whose ancestral land is where north Georgia and metro Atlanta exist today.
Native Trivia Night at the Library
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 4 to 6 p.m.
Library North
Sponsored by Cultures, Communities & Inclusion
Join Cultures, Communities & Inclusion as we come together to watch a fun and informative film highlighting Indigenous culture and history in Library North. Bring a friend or team and be ready to compete! Additional details will be posted at the link to PIN below.
GATHER: The American-International Thanksgiving Feast
Thursday, Nov. 21, Noon to 2 p.m.
Student Center East Ballroom
Cultures, Communities & Inclusion
Join us for GATHER: The American-International Thanksgiving Feast, as we gather in gratitude for community connections at GSU! During this event, learn about the history of the holiday and the significant contributions made by Indigenous/Native American cultures and communities.