Friday, October 27, 2023

November is National Native American Heritage Month where we recognize the contributions, achievements and sacrifices of Native American people, the first inhabitants of the United States. It's also a time to celebrate their rich and vibrant culture.  

The Charleston County Public Library is hosting programs, showcasing displays and more to celebrate Native Americans and to educate the community about their contributions. Check out the programming calendar for the latest on programming throughout the month. 

Join members of the Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe to learn more about the culture of this state-recognized tribe at the Keith Summey North Charleston Library on November 18 at 3 p.m. Tribal members will provide a brief history of the Edisto Natchez-Kusso people, followed by an informative drumming and dancing demonstration. The event will conclude with a group dance open to all ages! 

There’s also a Keith Summey North Charleston Library Teen Book Club program on Wednesday, November 15 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Teens can read this month's selection, A Snake Falls to the Earth by Darcie Little Badger. Pick up your copy at the Teen desk or access the eBook and audiobook here. Snacks will be provided. For teens in grades 6-12. 

The Dorchester Road Library is hosting a Teen Book Club on the book, Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley on November 28 at 4 p.m. Teens can also make walking tacos with our Charlie Cart mobile kitchen at this program.   

Visit the Baxter-Patrick James Island Library on November 21 at 10 a.m. for an Exploring Your Roots program to learn some tips and resources for doing genealogical research on your Native American ancestors. 

With your library card, you can access free digital resources on Hoopla, where you can explore audiobooks, ebooks, music, movies and more. You can access a curated list of books about Native American stories and experiences. 

CCPL's Charleston Time Machine podcast explores the history of Charleston. Check out the episodes The First People of the South Carolina Lowcountry and Planning Charleston in 1672: The Etiwan Removal to learn more about Native American history in the Lowcountry. 

History 

In 1990, President George H.W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” This marked the beginning of an annual tradition in the United States. 

Native Americans have been integral to the development of a unique American culture, and their contributions in areas including agriculture, science and technology, medicine, and government have had worldwide implications. More recently, Native activists have played a major role in the modern environmental justice movement. Their efforts received international attention when members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota and their allies actively opposed the completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline. 

While mainstream American culture oftentimes depicts Native Americans as relics of the past, only focusing on a handful of notable tribal leaders and historic events, today there are more than four million Native Americans in the United States and nearly 600 sovereign Native nations.