Dear UMB Community,

November is National Native American Heritage Month, a time when we recognize and honor the cultures, heritages, and living practices of Indigenous people who have stewarded these lands for generations. 

The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916. Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation, rode across the country on horseback seeking approval from 24 state governments to have a day to honor American Indians. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month. Similar proclamations have been issued every year since 1994. In Maryland, the passage of House Bill 40 in 2014 officially designated November as American Indian Heritage Month. 

During American Indian Heritage Month at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), we affirm our commitment and support for our Native colleagues and friends, celebrate their achievements, and continue to collaborate to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse community.

For example, E. Keith Colston of the Tuscarora and Lumbee tribes is the administrative director of the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs (MCIA), which initiates and supports activities that promote the welfare of the state’s Indian people and furthers the understanding of American Indian history and culture. MCIA provides a forum for the concerns of Maryland’s American Indian communities and serves as a vital liaison between these communities and state and federal governments. 

In Baltimore, Ashley Minner-Jones, PhD, MA, MFA, of the Lumbee tribe is a lecturer of American studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a well-known voice for the Lumbee people. She is a community-based visual artist and scholar working in collaboration with the American Indian community of East Baltimore to map East Baltimore’s “reservation,” which she sees as a reclamation of history, space, and belonging. 

Constance Redbird “Connie” Pinkerman-Uri, a member of the Choctaw and Cherokee tribes, was the first Native American woman to hold degrees in both law and medicine. Her work led to the prohibition of involuntary sterilizations, leaving an indelible mark on the rights of Native American women and health care practices. Pinkerman-Uri’s life and career continue to inspire future generations of Native American medical and legal professionals, embodying a spirit of resilience and advocacy.

We at UMB are proud of the accomplishments and contributions of members of the American Indian community, and we embrace, honor, and acknowledge all of their achievements and contributions.  

Please check out the following events at UMB and throughout the Baltimore area:

‘Tribal Voices: A Native American Heritage Celebration 2024’

Nov. 3 | 1-4 p.m. | Glen Echo (Md.) Park | More Information

Join the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture and the National Park Service as they honor the culture and history of Native Americans in the park’s historic Bumper Car Pavilion.

Booked for Lunch Book Club: ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’

Nov. 12 | Noon-1 p.m. | UMSON Room 503 and Virtual | Register Here for Nov. 12

Join UMSON’s Booked for Lunch Club in celebrating Native American Heritage Month by discussing the book “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants” by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Baltimore American Indian Center’s 48th Annual Pow Wow

Nov. 16 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium | Buy Tickets

Head out to the fairgrounds for a day filled with traditional dances, drumming, arts and crafts, and delicious food. Immerse yourself in the rich culture and heritage of American Indian tribes from across the country.

‘Preoccupied: Indigenizing the Museum’

Through Feb. 16, 2025 | Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) | More Information

The artwork, perspectives, and histories of Native artists, scholars, and community members are at the center of this major BMA initiative. The wide-reaching project seeks to begin addressing the historical erasure of Indigenous culture by arts institutions while creating new practices for museums.

 In partnership and collaboration,

Diane Forbes Berthoud, PhD, MA
Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer and Vice President, UMB
Professor, School of Graduate Studies