Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month 

The tradition was started in New York in May 1916; inspired by Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation, who rode across the United States on horseback. His goal was to get states to agree to create a day to honor Native American peoples and cultures. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the first resolution designating November as Native American Heritage Month.  

Today, many people, groups, and organizations take this month to honor the many diverse contributions of Native Americans to cultural and economic practices in the United States. Native American Heritage Month is also a time when we highlight issues facing our Native communities.  

Today, we are sharing more about the issues that impact Native Americans with disabilities.  

Overview:  

• There are 574 federally recognized American Indian & Alaska Native Tribes throughout the United States (Sources 5, 10)  
• There are 324 federally recognized Native American reservations and land trusts in the U.S. as of 2022 (Sources 5, 11).  
• South Carolina has one federally recognized tribe, the Catawba Nation, centered in York County (Sources 8, 9).  Additionally, the state of South Carolina recognizes 9 local tribes and 4 tribal groups. (Source 8).  
• Native Americans are expected to live 5.5 years less than other race populations in the US. They also have disabilities at a higher rate than any other racial group in America:  
• 24% of American Indians and Alaska Natives have a disability compared 19% of the general population living with a disability. 

Some issues facing Native Americans with disabilities include:  

• High rates of poverty and unemployment  
• Homelessness or living in overcrowded conditions – particularly dangerous during the COVID-19 pandemic  
• Underfunded education systems which include a lack of accommodations for those with disabilities  
• Violence against women – 84% of Native women report having experienced violence within their lifetime.   
• Due to the history of exploiting Native lands, many Native Americans do not have good access to clean water and other natural resources.   
• Limited healthcare funding and resources, culturally competent care, and historical trauma create barriers to healthcare access for Native Americans.  

What resources are available?  

We are our most powerful when we work together with our peers! Local and national tribal and Native American groups are working among their peers to address many issues of inequity for Native Americans with and without disabilities.  

• The Catawba Nation’s website contains resources on tribal enrollment, scholarships for members, and other resources. The nation has also developed goals to increase access to housing, transportation, and supportive services for Native Seniors. More here: https://www.catawba.com/  
• The Pine Hill Indian Community Development Initiative is a nonprofit working to increase access to health and resources for Native Americans in South Carolina. Learn more: https://www.phhn.org/  
• Native American Disability Law Center : although this organization maintains a list of comprehensive resources on its website. You can find:  

1.  Services for Native people over 18 with developmental and intellectual disabilities  
2. Education rights for Native children with disabilities  
3. Legal services for Natives with mental illness  
4. Information on social security benefits for disabled adults and children  

• National Indian Education Association works to improve schools and education for Native populations  
• Native Women’s Wilderness advocates for Native women by assisting women and girls with finding their leadership skills. They also support the education and exploration of Native lands by Native women and girls.  

Able South Carolina also encourages you to listen to and support Native voices – research Native artisans and business owners in your area to support!  

Resources:  

1. Indian Health Services Factsheets: Disparities. https://www.ihs.gov/newsroom/factsheets/disparities/ Accessed November 2, 2022.   
2. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, AI AN and Disability  
3. Diversity Inc. The Biggest Issues Facing the Native American Community Right Now  
4. National Congress of American Indians, Disabilities  
5. United States Census Bureau Newsroom (2022), “Facts for Features: American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, November 2022. https://www.census.gov/newsroom/facts-for-features/2022/aian-month.html#:~:text=National%20Population%20Projections-,324,-The%20number%20of  
6. United States Department of Health and Human Services and Office of Minority Health: Celebrate Native American Heritage Month. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/NAHM/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery Accessed November 2, 2022.  
7. Sciway.net: South Carolina Indian Tribes: Native Americans in South Carolina. https://www.sciway.net/hist/indians/ Accessed November 3, 2022  
8. South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs:South Carolina’s recognized American Indian Entities.   https://cma.sc.gov/minority-population-initiatives/Native-american-affairs/south-carolinas-recognized-Native-american-indian-entities Accessed November 3, 2022.  
9. Catawba Nation website. https://www.catawba.com/  
10. United States Bureau of Indian Affairs (2021), Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/29/2021-01606/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of  
11. American Indian Reservations,Statistical Areas, and Alaska Native Village Statistical Areas: https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2022_Gazetteer/2022_Gaz_aiannhr_national.zip