Native American Heritage Month lasts throughout the month of November. It celebrates the heritage, history, culture and traditions of hundreds of different tribes across the United States. Each tribe had different languages, ways of hunting, living situations and family dynamics. 

This month is important to celebrate in order to remember who originally inhabited America. These tribes were brutally attacked and forcibly removed from their lands by the white settlers who came to conquer what they thought was “the New World.” 

Native culture influences many modern things in America today, including rivers, streets, statues, and core values that are part of America’s constitution. 

“Because they were here, they are the true American,” said Michael T. Snowden, executive director of the Office of Inclusion and Belonging. “You can’t tell a story about America without talking about their contributions and then their sacrifices. You have to tell the full story of our country.”

Respecting the original occupants of the U.S. is why the month of November is used to spotlight Indigenous persons, even though respect should last all year long. 

“An appreciation month is good as an emphasis,” Snowden said. “It allows us to take time to celebrate that particular culture. One month is not a long time to capture the rich contributions they’ve made.”

GCSU has several classes that highlight Native American history, culture and literature. One course is Native American Women Writers. This class explores poetry, novels and memoirs written by Indigenous women and explores themes of bravery, love, unity and tribes that cannot be conquered. 

“I love studying and teaching Native American literature because it’s some of the most beautifully written, powerfully moving literature being written today,” said Mary Magoulick, an English professor. “The themes and worldviews of writers like Louise Erdrich, Leslie Silko, Joy Harjo and more are inspired by traditional cultures, the nature of this continent and yet are also current and relevant to today’s world, helping us all understand better what it means to be human, how to live ethically, how to respect each other and the planet and how to build and honor communities that are complex, emergent and hopeful.”

The Chickasaw Nation was established in 1856 when they split from the Choctaw Nation. They lived in Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee before the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Removal Act in 1830. 

They were removed from their lands from 1837-1851 to where they reside now in Ada, Oklahoma. During Indian removal, around 500 Chickasaw died during the journey. In total, over 100,000 Native Americans were forcibly removed from their lands, and around 15,000 died. This included women, men, children and the elderly. 

Their official language is Chikashshanompa’ which is a Muskogean language that is currently endangered. “Chikasha Poya” is how the tribe says, “We are Chickasaw.” Although an endangered language, the Chickasaw Nation has flashcards, a language course and lessons to help its people relearn the language. 

Their culture has long relied on farming and agriculture. In ancient times, they focused on growing corn as their main crop. Now, some of their recipes include pashofa, fry bread and three sisters stew.

Stories are also an integral part of many Native American cultures, including Chickasaw. In most of their cookbooks, they combine recipes with stories from growing up and learning how to make food, all while bonding with family. 

The Chickasaw Nation provides many services for their members who live in Oklahoma and some for those who do not. Some of these services include scholarships, various types of grants, workshops and healthcare. 

They have a full government, which includes a governor, lieutenant governor, tribal supreme court justices and tribal legislatures. They also have a constitution and bylaws that all citizens are supposed to follow. 

Native people still experience discrimination and harassment today on a wide scale. 

“Ignorance is not bliss,” writes an author for the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe in an article about prejudice. 

Learning more and sharing the beautiful culture of Indigenous people during the month of November and beyond prevents horrifying acts of discrimination and educates people on who was here first. 

“We, as Chickasaws, are part of our great nation no matter where we live. At the heart of our nation is our people – the Chickasaw people – a people who share a common heritage, a culture and traditions,” said Bill Anoatubby, the governor of the Chickasaw Nation. 

Keeping the cultures and traditions alive is what keeps the people alive.