The Friday after Thanksgiving is National Native American Heritage Day. Barely recognized or even acknowledged, the National Native American Heritage Day Act was signed into law in 2008, by which President Obama encouraged:

 …every American to join me in observing Native American Heritage Day … It is also important for all of us to understand the rich culture, tradition, and history of Native Americans and their status today, and to appreciate the contributions that First Americans have made and will continue to make to our Nation.

The Friday after Thanksgiving is more commonly referred to as “Black Friday“.  Some have criticized this coincidence, as it links a day dedicated to celebrating Native peoples and culture with the start of the holiday shopping season.

To counter the consumerism associated with Black Friday, consider reflecting on the true meaning of  this day by exploring the digital exhibits of the National Museum of the American Indian, or taking the opportunity to learn about the land you live on.

An intriguing tool is the Native Land interactive map. By entering your address, you can discover which Indigenous Peoples once inhabited the area. The map’s creators aim to foster conversation and raise awareness of Indigenous history and the diverse cultures of Native Peoples.

Below is the result from entering in the address for UConn Law Library, 39 Elizabeth Street, Hartford, Ct.:

 

There was little information about Native American Heritage Day- in fact, I didn’t even know it was a “thing”. Let’s take a moment both during and after Thanksgiving to honor the contributions of the Indigenous Peoples on whose land we now work and live.