American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month 2023

November marks American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich history of cultures, traditions, and legacies within Native communities.

The History of American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month

In 1916, Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation, rode across the country on horseback obtaining approval from 24 state governments to establish a day to honor American Indians. His efforts culminated in the first American Indian Day that year, which took place in New York.

Decades later, President George HW Bush established the observation of National American Indian Heritage Month in November of 1990. In the years since the designation was first created, the day has evolved to what it is now called American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month presents an opportunity to provide education on indigenous people, including the challenges these populations have encountered throughout history and in current times, as well as the strength and achievements of these groups.

It is also a time to discuss the broader topic of culturally sensitive care in healthcare, as well as an occasion when companies should consider how they can provide better support to these groups within their workplace environments.

Culturally Sensitive Care

 American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month can also be a time to have conversations around the importance of culturally sensitive care. This is a method of providing medical services that acknowledges and honors the distinct cultural heritage of every patient. It appreciates how culture influences an individual’s beliefs, values, practices, and way of life. This approach to care operates under the premise that people hold diverse perspectives on what constitutes appropriate medical treatment and that they benefit most when they can incorporate their cultural traditions into their healthcare experience.

Cultural sensitivity encompasses grasping the impact of racism, inequality, colonialism, and various types of oppression on an individual’s healthcare access. Recognizing these influences is fundamental to establishing a secure and empathetic setting where patients can openly communicate their health-related worries with their healthcare provider. Culturally sensitive care plays a crucial role in delivering comprehensive and efficient treatment for both physical and mental health conditions by acknowledging the intricate interplay between culture and overall well-being.

Culturally sensitive care has numerous benefits, including improved patient satisfaction, improved treatment outcomes, better access to care, and opportunities for providers to work together with their patients.

Workplace Support

 Leaders need to take an active part in providing workplace support for indigenous populations. Organizations should focus on putting policies in place that promote diversity and inclusion, such as:

• anti-discrimination policies
• hiring practices that focus on recruiting a diverse pool of candidates
• creating spaces for employees to discuss their unique experiences

When leaders actively focus prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), leaders not only ensure a more just and fair work environment but also recognize the unique historical and cultural perspectives that indigenous individuals bring to the table. This acknowledgment fosters a richer and more varied pool of ideas and perspectives, which can lead to innovative and diverse solutions, as well as an overall increased sense of workplace satisfaction and engagement.

American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month underscores the significance of recognizing and supporting indigenous communities not only during November but throughout the year.

We all play a part in ensuring that their voices and contributions are valued and respected in all aspects of society. Visit our Resources Hub to learn more about making workplaces more inclusive.