HILL AIR FORCE BASE – National American Indian Heritage Month is observed Nov. 1-30 each year. The observance month recognizes the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories of American Indians and Alaskan Natives and honors their many distinct and important contributions to the United States.
American Indians and Alaskan Natives have served with valor in our nation's conflicts since its inception. This includes Native women who served in the Armed Forces as members of the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, Women Army Corps and the Army Nurse Corps.
NAIHM's origin began when Cherokee American Indian, J.C. Elliott-HighEagle, authored the legislation for American Indian Awareness Week. It was signed in 1976, making Oct. 10-16 the first official week of national recognition for the American Indians. This set a precedent which was followed by later public laws expanding the observance to what we now know as National American Indian Heritage Month.
There are over nine million American Indian and Alaskan Natives living in the United States, across 574 federally recognized tribes, and more than 100 state-recognized tribes. Each tribe has their own unique native history, beliefs and governance structure.
A joint National American Indian Heritage Month celebration is scheduled for 1-3 p.m. EST Nov. 8 in the Pentagon Courtyard. Organized by the Indigenous Nations Equality Team (INET) - one of the seven DAF Barrier Analysis Working Group teams, the Air Force Protection Agency, and the Department of the Army - we cordially invite you to join.
Let's come together to highlight and honor the contributions of our Indigenous Airmen and Guardians within the DAF.