Native American Heritage Month 2026

November has been officially designated as Native American Heritage Month since a joint resolution was signed into law in 1990, though it’s gone by a few names over the years.

Take time this month to learn about and celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of Indigenous Peoples and individuals throughout America. We will update this page each week with a new person, group, or story.

We also have two online opportunities to engage with other TIPD members and folks interested in Tribal and Indigenous Planning. Visit our events page for more details.

Week One: The Haudenosaunee Confederacy

Comprising six Indigenous nations—Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and Tuscarora—in northeast North America, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy is one of the oldest and longest lasting participatory democracies in the world. Their system of government strongly influenced the US Constitution, as evidenced in writings from multiple founding fathers and reaffirmed by a resolution passed by the US Congress in 1988. Read more here: https://www.underscore.news/culture/histories/america-250-how-the-haudenosaunee-shaped-americas-democracy/

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy continues to thrive, support its people, and take an active role in the planning and development that occurs on their lands. Learn more here: https://www.haudenosauneeconfederacy.com/