The OIEJB Honors Indigenous American Heritage Month 2024

What’s in a name?
Some people have struggled with what to call people who are descended from the first residents of what is now known as America. Let’s start Indigenous American Heritage Month 2024 with a question: What is the correct terminology: American Indian, Indian, Native American, Indigenous, or Native?

According to the National Museum of the American Indian, “All of these terms are acceptable. The consensus, however, is that whenever possible, Native people prefer to be called by their specific tribal name. In the United States, Native American has been widely used but is falling out of favor with some groups, and the terms American Indian or Indigenous American are preferred by many Native people. Native peoples often have individual preferences on how they would like to be addressed. When talking about Native groups or people, use the terminology the members of the community use to describe themselves collectively.” (https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/faq/did-you-know#category-1)

Highlighting contributions of contemporary Indigenous Americans across the country
Over the last three years, as we marked the beginning of this month, our office has recounted the history of how Indigenous American Heritage Month came into being, offered discussions of SSFS’s complicity in the legacy of settler colonialism—our campus sits on unceded land originally occupied by the Piscataway Tribe—and summarized the history of Piscataway people. This year, we are expanding the scope of our celebration to highlight contemporary Indigenous Americans across the country.

Individuals
Carrie Johnson is a 23-year-old graduate student at New York University earning her master’s in News and Documentary. She has ambitions to pursue a career in broadcasting, audio, and print journalism and has a special passion for filmmaking, creative writing, and connecting to my Chickasaw and Pawnee heritage. Learn more about her Carrie Johnson.

Collectives
For the past three years, the Center for Native American Youth has been offering kids the Brave Heart Fellowship. It’s a chance for native youth voices to be heard as they look for ways to help preserve our environment (Stewardship!). Ten kids in the Pacific Northwest will get grant money and support to make their own climate projects a reality. Katy Stewart with the Center for Native American Youth joined Idaho Matters to talk more.

Local Events
The Smithsonian offers a wealth of programming—learn more about it.

Teacher Resources
The Smithsonian also offers teacher resources that include live and virtual learning opportunities.

SSFS Activities and Learning Opportunities
On campus, we will mark the month as we always do—with a community art project and literary learning in LS, advisory and classroom lessons in MS and US, and displays in various locations around campus.