Celebrate Native American Heritage Month

How do I earn the fun patch?

The Girl Scout Native American Heritage Celebration Fun Patch is designed for Girl Scouts of all levels and their leaders to honor the rich and diverse cultures of Indigenous people across America. Girls and leaders have a variety of activities to choose from to earn this fun patch, and we encourage girls of all identities to participate. Download the NAH Month Activity Sheet in English and Spanish to learn more.

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Celebrate Native American Heritage Month

Keep reading for resources to help your Girl Scout explore Native American history, art, stories, and more!

What is Native American Heritage Month?

How do I earn the fun patch?

Resources to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month

Here are some great ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month with your Girl Scout or troop.

TWIN CITIES

“Aabijijiwan / Ukeyat yanalleh” Exhibit at All My Relations Arts: This collaborative exhibition from multimedia artists Karen Goulet (Ojibwe) and Monique Verdin (Houma) is a loving tribute to Misi-ziibi (Mississippi River), which both women call home. On view now through January 13, 2024.

“Mdewakanton: Dwellers of the Spirit Lake” Exhibit at Hoċokata Ti Cultural Center: This exhibit provides visitors with a cultural experience that enhances their knowledge and understanding of the Mdewakanton Dakota people and their history. On view now.

FURTHER AFIELD

Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post: Explore the story of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe through museum exhibits, objects, demonstrations, and tours, and shop for locally made Native American arts and crafts in the restored 1930s trading post.

TWIN CITIES

FURTHER AFIELD

Franklin Avenue East, aka the Native American Cultural Corridor: This Minneapolis street is a hub for Native American art, cuisine, and culture. View murals and other artwork created by local Native artists and visit Native-owned businesses such as Gatherings Café and Pow Wow Grounds Coffee.

Owamni: Decolonizing your dining experience, this Minneapolis restaurant uses ingredients from Indigenous food producers and have removed colonial ingredients from their menu, including wheat flour, cane sugar and dairy. Owamni welcomes you to experience the true flavors of North America.

BOOKS

Bowwow Powwow: A playful picture book about a young Native girl who experiences the wonder of storytelling and the powwow. The story is accompanied by a companion retelling in Ojibwe and brought to life by vibrant illustrations. For ages three to seven.

We Are Water Protectors: Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, this bold and lyrical picture book issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption. For ages three to seven.

Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids: A collection of intersecting short stories and poems set at a powwow that bursts with hope, joy, resilience, the strength of community, and Native pride. For ages eight and up.

Surviving the City: A haunting graphic novel about womanhood, friendship, colonialism, and the anguish of a missing loved one. For ages twelve and up.

TV, MOVIES, DOCUMENTARIES

Wildhood (2021 Film): In this coming-of-age drama, a rebellious two-spirit teenager runs away from home to find his birth mother and reclaim his Mi'kmaw heritage. Rated PG-13, contains mature themes.

Wapos Bay (TV Series): A lighthearted stop-motion animated series about growing up in a remote Cree community in Northern Saskatchewan. Available for free on YouTube.

Reservation Dogs (TV Series): This FX comedy drama follows the exploits of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma who go to extraordinary lengths in order to get to the exotic, mysterious and faraway land of California. Rated TV-14, contains mature themes.

PODCASTS

Young and Indigenous: This family-friendly podcast explores Indigenous culture, tradition, music, language, and other topics from the perspective of the tribal youth of the Lummi Nation, who created and host the podcast.

VIDEOS

Gone Native: A series of comedic digital shorts that shines a satirical light on some of the weird, ignorant microaggressions that many Native Americans experience. Their top videos include Spirit Animals and Other Appropriative Terms and Native Themed Sports Mascots.

APPS

Other Resources

Honor With Action: 10 Ways to be an Ally to Indigenous Peoples

Be an Ally - Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples, Inc.