November is Native American Heritage Month, celebrating the rich histories, traditions, heritages, and cultures of Native American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Indigenous communities.

The ancestral and contemporary lands, known today as Minnesota, are home to a vibrant Native American community and 11 Tribal Nations. The Tribal Nations include seven Anishinaabe (Chippewa, Ojibwe) reservations and four Dakota (Sioux) communities:

• Anishinaabe reservations: Grand Portage, Bois Forte, Red Lake, White Earth, Leech Lake, Fond du Lac, and Mille Lacs.
• Dakota communities: Shakopee Mdewakanton, Prairie Island, Lower Sioux, and Upper Sioux. 

Systemic Discrimination has no Home in Minnesota

While we celebrate, we recognize that Native American, American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Indigenous peoples experienced a history of violence, colonialization, and historical trauma that continue to impact them today.

We all play a role in building practices and policies that eliminate systemic discrimination. That’s why the Minnesota Department of Human Rights celebrates that on January 1, 2024, a new law aimed at bringing Minnesota one step closer to closing the gender and racial pay gap in Minnesota will take effect. 

Currently, Native women earn 61 cents and Native men earn 70 cents for every dollar a white man earns. 

The new law prohibits all Minnesota employers from asking all prospective or current employees about their current or past pay. 

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month by attending events happening throughout November.