What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.

In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including "Native American Heritage Month" and "National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month") have been issued each year since 1994.

Native American Heritage Month Events

November 1- 30, 2010

November 1-30th
Oregon Is Indian Country, a traveling exhibit produced by the Oregon Historical Society in partnership with Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes, will be shown - free to the public - at The Driftwood Public Library, The Lincoln City Recreational Center, and the Visitor Information Center.

November 1-30th
Skookum Tillicum: The Strong People of Siletz will be shown all month in the conference room at The Cultural Center In Lincoln City. The film will be accompanied by a Traveling Display Trunk about the Siletz Tribe. The Cultural Center in Lincoln City is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10AM-4PM. The film will be shown on November 5, 6, 12 & 13 at 11AM, 1PM and 3PM, and upon request. These showings are free!

October 27 - December 11, 2010
The Kennewick Man on Trial - This exhibit will be on view at the North Lincoln County Historical Museum from . Public interest, debate, and controversy began when an archaeologist decided the 9,000 year old remains might not be Native American. If it is true that these human remains are thousands of years old, and are not Native American, then who was Kennewick Man? Admission to the North Lincoln County Historical Museum is free to the public in part by a generous grant from the VCB.

November 6th
Standing Strong will be playing as part of the Saturday Morning Cinema at the Bijou Theatre at 11:00am, $2.00. Standing Strong is the story of Oregon's Nine Federally Recognized Tribes and their sovereignty. The film was produced as part of Oregon's sesquicentennial celebration.

November 6th
Storyteller and History Keeper Esther Stutzman visits the Lincoln City Cultural Center at 1:00pm. Esther is Coos and Komemma Kalapuya and is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz. She tells only Coos and Kalapuya stories. Her grandmother told her that it was bad luck to tell other people's or other tribes' stories. Children are free with a paying adult, $5.

November 19th
The People are Dancing Again; Book Signing- The book, about the Siletz Tribal History, will be available for Tribal members to pick up and get signed by the author, Charles Wilkinson, from 9:00-Noon at the Tribal Community Center in Siletz on . Tribal members can also pick up one copy of the book in the Siletz Room at Chinook Winds Casino Resort from 2:00 – 4:00PM. Books will also be available for Tribal members all day at the Restoration Celebration on November 20. Must have Tribal ID card.

November 20th
The People are Dancing Again; Panel discussion with author Charles Wilkinson will be held at 2:00PM in the Chetco Room at Chinook Winds Casino Resort He will sign books in the Chetco Room after the presentation until 4PM. Open to the public. Free admission.

November 20th
Smoke Signals will be playing as part of the Saturday Morning Cinema at the Bijou Theatre at 11:00am, $2.00. Smoke Signals was made by the Native American filmmakers Chris Eyre of Portland Oregon who is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and Alexie Sherman, a prolific writer who was raised on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation. The film is set in Arizona and follows two young American Indian men on a journey. When premiered at Sundance, Smoke Signals won the Audience Award and the Filmmakers Trophy. The authentic Native American Cast went on to win several awards including American Indian Film Festival's Best Film of 1998.

November 20th
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians' Restoration Pow-Wow this annual event will be held at Chinook Winds Casino Resort. The public is invited to this free event, which begins with a grand entry at 6:00 p.m. This is the 33rd year the Siletz Tribe has celebrated the signing of Public Law 95-195, which re-established government-to-government relations between the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians and the federal government. The Siletz Tribe was among the Tribes of Wester