November marks Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor and celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples. This month is an opportunity to reflect on the enduring impact of Native communities on the growth and development of the United States, from their profound influence on the land to their ongoing contributions in a variety of fields.

The recognition of Native American Heritage Month dates back to 1990, when President George H. W. Bush first declared November as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Since then, the celebration has evolved, continuing every year under various titles to acknowledge the cultural significance of Native American heritage.

However, the push to recognize Native peoples’ contributions began much earlier. Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca man and former director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, New York, was a key advocate for national recognition. His efforts helped establish “American Indian Day” in 1916, which laid the groundwork for what we now celebrate as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

Despite this recognition, Native American and Alaskan Native people remain underrepresented in many sectors, particularly in STEM fields. If you’d like to explore this further, we encourage you to check out Madeline Gupta’s thought-provoking TEDx Talk, “Native American Underrepresentation in STEM Fields,” which offers insights into the challenges and possible solutions.

Some Indigenous people of note in the STEM world:

This list is by no means exhaustive. If you feel like we missed someone you’d like to see featured in this list, please reach out to montgok@linnbenton.edu to suggest an addition.

Resources:

  1. Western Oregon is home to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Learn more about the Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde here.
  2. Visit https://native-land.ca/ to find what occupied native lands you inhabit.
  3. Learn more about Native American History Month and find events here.
  4. Oregon State University’s Native American Student Association – Facebook
  5. Indigenous at Oregon State University 
  6. The kaku-ixt mana ina haws
  7. Panel Discussion: Pathways to STEM careers for Native American Women and Girls by the Museum of Native American History – offers great insight into tech education in Native American populations
  8. Indigenous In STEM Panel by the Native American Cultural Center and Association of Native Americans At Yale. Hear from Indigenous professionals across several STEM fields.
  9.  A great read: Just 18 Really Awesome Native Folks in STEM | by Women of Silicon Valley.
  10. Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
  11. American Indian Science and Engineering Society
  12. Two Eyed Seeing – NASA & Indigenous Astronomy – For the Benefit of All
  13. NASA – Native American Heritage Month