Native American Heritage Month first started as American Indian Day in 1915.  This limited celebration continued for decades until President George H.W. Bush signed a proclamation for Native American Heritage Month.  The primary objective of the month is to recognize the contributions of the first Americans and the many ways they shaped American culture.

Suzan Shown Harjo is a notable advocate for Native American rights.  Since the 1960s, she’s helped recover more than a million acres of native land.  She’s also pushed professional sports teams to discontinue using Indian mascots, and she’s pushed for national policy that protects sacred lands and culture.

Tom Goldtooth has exhibited the same fight but with the environment as his main cause.  He participated in the People’s Climate March and serves as the executive director of the Indigenous Environmental Network, a non-governmental organization with heavy influence on environmental policy.  Goldtooth is known for working on the front lines with his people.  He’s also a champion of economic justice and sustainability.

Even more recently, Winona LaDuke has pushed to have a major impact on the greater American culture.  She earned degrees at Harvard and Antioch Universities, and she’s a powerful orator and author.  She previously ran as Ralph Nader’s Vice President during a presidential campaign, on behalf of the Green Party.  Also, she has been a key advocate in the fight against the Keystone XL Pipeline. 

During Native American Heritage Month, it’s important to acknowledge the contributions of past Native Americans but also to recognize the ongoing fight and the activists leading the movement.