November is Native American Heritage Month, which celebrates the history and contributions of Native Americans. In addition to celebrating Native American Heritage, NYRR acknowledges the first inhabitants of the lands where we hold our events and programs.
A land acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as traditional/original stewards of the land, the trauma and forced removal from lands, and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.
For the first time, in 2022 the TCS New York City Marathon Opening Ceremony Presented by United Airlines will include a land acknowledgment.
NYRR’s blog, The Run On, has featured articles about and by Native American runners and Native American culture, and we will share more throughout the month and beyond.
For Native American Heritage Month, Let's Celebrate Our Diverse and Thriving Cultures
Our Our Contributors Circle member Dinée Dorame writes that there is a complicated and sometimes tense history behind heritage recognition months, but this month also presents an opportunity to recognize Native athletes and communities and to forge new relationships in the running space.
Dinée Dorame: Grounded in Running
NYRR introduces Dinée Dorame, the host of the Grounded Podcast with Dinée Dorame, a citizen of the Navajo Nation, a self-identified running nerd, and the first member of our Contributors Circle. Through this diverse group of runners, we aim to empower and serve the holistic running experience, with a focus on under-represented communities.
Know the Facts About Native American Heritage in and Around New York City
As part of the celebration of Native American Heritage Month, we share some facts about Native American culture and presence in and around New York City. Learn more as NYRR looks to connect with local Native American communities.
2021 Native American Heritage Month
We recognize and honor the original inhabitants of the land on which our events take place.
Additional Information and Resources
In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 National American Indian Heritage Month. Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including Native American Heritage Month and National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month) have been issued each year since 1994. Several states have designated Columbus Day as Native American Day, but it continues to be a day we observe without any recognition as a national legal holiday.
Which Indigenous Lands Are We Living On?
Native Land is a crowd-sourced, interactive website mapping traditional territories of Indigenous people, treaties and language, and much more. The map was created by Victor G. Temprano, a Canadian who was "born in traditional Katzie territory and raised in the Okanagan". It currently covers the USA, Canada, much of Mexico, Australia, South Africa, and expanding amounts of territory in South America.
Do American Indians Celebrate Thanksgiving?
How do Native Americans make peace with a national holiday that romanticizes the 1621 encounter between their ancestors and English settlers, and erases the deadly conflicts that followed? Check out the below feature from Smithsonian Magazine.
