[SPOKANE, Wash.] --Since 1990, November has been recognized as Native American Heritage Month providing an opportunity to honor and celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Native Americans.
The observance of this celebration started in 1986 as American Indian Week and grew to a month-long celebration in 1990.
This month’s dedicated celebration of the resilience and contributions of Native Americans gives our community a chance to deepen the relationships and understanding of our whole community.
Representation Matters
Community Colleges of Spokane rests on the sacred homelands of five Native American tribes: The Spokane Tribe, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Kalispel Tribe and Nez Perce Tribe.
Spokane Falls Community College’s Building 32, “sƛ̓x̣etkʷ” (ska-hét) has become a beacon of creativity and inspiration that nods to the history of this region since it opened earlier this fall.
The building’s features all the way from the location to the name and to the designs reflect rich cultural heritage of regional indigenous tribes — windows that hold the texture of the rushing Spokane River, a Salish name meaning “fast water” and a location that overlooks the water that has sustained life for ages.
The Spokane Community College Native American Student Organization or the SFCC Red Nations Club offer a community for students on each campus.
These resources all provide a sense of belonging and pride for students, faculty, and staff while also serving as a resource for student success.
"These heritage months are an opportunity for us to learn about our collective community,” Spokane Falls Community College Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Francisco Salinas said. “It is part of our responsibility in defining ourselves as Americans to do something for these heritage months to make them meaningful.”
Getting Involved
By gathering more information about the history of Spokane’s regional tribes and learning about their cultures, we can create a community that actively seeks justice in our relationships.
Below is a list of opportunities to celebrate Native American culture during November and throughout the rest of the year. These events and resources vary depending on your region:
Find and attend a pow wow near you
Spokane Public Library – Native American Heritage Month 2024
National Native American Heritage Month Official Website
Explore Native American Authors
By deepening relationships with our communities that have been historically under included, we can continue to grow around equity and trust to lead us toward a brighter future as a collective.