November is National American Indian Heritage Month, also known as Native American Heritage Month declared by United States President George H. W. Bush in 1990. This declaration honors the culture, traditions, art, music and dance of Native People as well as recognizing their significant contributions to our society. Each year, events, ceremonies and activities are held across the country to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. From the Cherokee to Lipan Apache and Coushatta Nations, here’s our list of top Native American Heritage Month events happening in Houston!
TEXAS TRIBAL BUFFALO PROJECT
You’re invited to the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project, an in-person presentation on November 2, 2022 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Holocaust Museum Houston’s Albert Ethel Herzstein Theater! Along with The Center for the Healing of Racism, the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project will discuss efforts for rematriation of Texas Indigenous land and communities, reconnecting and rekindling kinship and restoring the traditional relationship between the Lipan Apache and the Bison relatives. This event is free to the public and requires registration.
CELEBRATE NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH ON AVENIDA HOUSTON
The celebration of Native American Heritage Month in Houston continues with a Lunch and Learn on the Wharf at Avenida Houston on Friday, November 4, 2022 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This event’s featured discussion will be on the Past and Present of Houston’s Native American Tribes and Languages, by Chance Locinda Landry of the Lipan Apache Nation and the Founder, Curator, and President of the Southern Apache Museum. Attendees can also enjoy food, stories, musical and dance performances by The Thompson Family of the Coushatta Nation. Registration is now available!
JOHN P. MCGOVERN HALL OF THE AMERICAS SPECIAL DISCOUNTED TICKETS
Visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) to celebrate Native American Heritage Month with the special perk of discounted tickets to view the exhibits in the John P. McGovern Hall of the Americas. Museum goers will learn about the incredible diversity and astounding accomplishments of the Indigenous peoples from the regions of the Arctic to South America. Grab your $10 discounted tickets (normally $25) at corporatecoupon.hmns.org. Enter password dino and print the coupon or visit the link on your mobile when you arrive at HMNS.
32ND ANNUAL NATIVE AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP POW WOW
Get ready for the 32nd Annual Native American Championship Pow Wow, a free two-day Native American Pow Wow with colorful tribal dance contests, arts & crafts show and more happening at Traders Village – Houston on Saturday and Sunday, November 12 & 13, 2022! Be greeted by the sounds of Terry Tsotigh playing his flute and harmonica at 11:30 am each day and the Grand Entry at 12 pm. Dance competitions will be from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday. You can’t miss the drums, dancers in full regalia of feathers, buckskin, bells and bead-work. Bring the family and join hundreds of Native Americans from different tribes across the United States to learn about their heritage and traditions.
INPRINT PRESENTS THREE-TERM U.S. POET LAUREATE: JOY HARJO
Inprint, Houston’s premier literary arts nonprofit organization presents three-term U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo on Monday, November 14, at 7:30 pm (doors open at 6:45 pm) at Rice University’s Brockman Hall for Opera, Entrance #18. As part of the 2022/2023 Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading Series, Joy will give a reading from her new poetry collection Weaving Sundown in a Scarlet Light: 50 Poems for 50 Years. The reading will be followed by an on-stage conversation with Lupe Mendez, 2022 Texas Poet Laureate, and a book sale and signing. Tickets are on sale now for $5 general admission. Students and senior citizens can receive free tickets upon request.
Learn more at nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov.