November Is Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month

November is recognized as Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month, a time to highlight the cultures and histories of the Indigenous peoples of the United States.

We honor and celebrate the often-untold stories, traditions, and languages of Indigenous American and Alaska Native communities, ensuring that their rich histories and contributions thrive with each succeeding generation.

Ways to Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month

Honor the people and their culture by exploring the Indigenous culture that exists in our backyard.

Gabrielino-Tongva Tribe
A thousand years ago, the Gabrielino/Tongva tribe inhabited what we now call the bluff, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Monica Mountains.

History of the Ballona Wetlands and LMU Ballona Discovery Park
The Tongva people were the Indigenous inhabitants of the Ballona wetlands in Los Angeles County for nearly 10,000 years. In the mid-1800s, Spanish colonizers forced the Tongva to leave the wetlands to establish a mission in San Gabriel. The Tongva population was decimated due to violence and disease.

Native American Congressional Internship
If, as a faculty or staff member, you have a student of Indigenous descent, encourage them to take full advantage of the resources available.

LMU: The Importance of Land Acknowledgments as Preludes to Transformed Relation
Indigenous hallowed lands hold deep significance for Indigenous peoples and their cultures.

LMU Spotlights Local Navajo Textile Artist for Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month
The Diné (Navajo) textile art of weaving has been practiced for nearly 2,000 years. Read about Melissa Cody, a fourth-generation Navajo weaver.