Honoring the Histories, Cultures, and Contributions of Indigenous Peoples
Reflection and Recognition
Each November, the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) joins communities across the nation in observing National Native American Heritage Month — a time to honor the enduring presence, wisdom, and cultural contributions of Indigenous peoples, including American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian nations.
This observance, formally established by Congress in 1990, serves as a reminder that Indigenous history is not only part of our past — it is a living, evolving story that continues to shape our shared present. November, which coincides with harvest season for many tribes, symbolizes gratitude, reflection, and renewal.
As a college rooted in the humanities and the social sciences, CSSH acknowledges that meaningful education requires an understanding of how Indigenous histories intersect with our disciplines — from literature and policy to sociology and cultural studies.
Honoring Native American Heritage Month is an opportunity to pause, learn, and reflect on the stewardship, knowledge, and creativity Indigenous communities continue to share with the world.
CSSH’s Commitment to Belonging and Respect
At CSSH, belonging is more than a concept — it is a shared practice that connects people, perspectives, and purposes. National Native American Heritage Month invites us to live that value through action and awareness.
Our Commitments This Month
- Center Indigenous voices and scholarship
CSSH departments and programs are uplifting the work of Indigenous researchers, writers, and artists whose contributions deepen our collective understanding of culture, history, and justice. - Recognize the land and its history
We acknowledge that Northeastern University’s campuses exist on lands with deep Indigenous roots. This acknowledgment is not an endpoint but a call to listen, respect, and collaborate with the communities whose stories began here long before ours. - Promote education and engagement
We encourage faculty, staff, and students to explore resources, attend events, and create space for Indigenous knowledge systems across classrooms, offices, and research initiatives. - Build authentic partnerships
Our college seeks to work with Indigenous-led organizations and communities in ways that uphold mutual respect and self-determination.
Through these actions, CSSH reaffirms its mission to ensure that belonging, representation, and respect are embedded across all aspects of college life.
Learning, Engagement, and Connection
Ways to Participate This Month
Whether through learning, dialogue, or service, every member of the CSSH community has a role to play in this month of reflection and recognition:
- Attend campus and community events — Join panels, film screenings, and art exhibits that highlight Indigenous leadership and perspectives.
- Incorporate Indigenous knowledge — Infuse your teaching or research with Indigenous methodologies and frameworks, recognizing their rigor and insight.
- Reflect and discuss — Host conversations within your department or student group about how Indigenous issues intersect with your field of study.
- Start with acknowledgment — Begin meetings or classes with a thoughtful land acknowledgment, using it as a moment of awareness rather than formality.
- Support Indigenous voices — Engage with Native authors, podcasts, and public speakers whose stories illuminate both resilience and innovation.
A Call to Reflection and Action
National Native American Heritage Month is both a celebration and a responsibility. It reminds us that building inclusive academic spaces requires continual reflection — not only on what we teach, but how we teach, and whom we center in our narratives.
At CSSH, we believe that belonging is sustained through both awareness and action — by honoring history while creating pathways for equity and inclusion in the present.
This November, let us:
- Learn from Indigenous knowledge keepers and scholars.
- Reflect on how our disciplines can contribute to truth, justice, and healing.
- Act in ways that strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities near and far.
Belonging at CSSH means cultivating a community where every story matters — and where the wisdom of Indigenous peoples continues to guide our pursuit of a more just and humane world.
Together, we can transform acknowledgement into engagement, and recognition into relationship.
