November is Native American Heritage Month (NAHM). This heritage month was first recognized by the federal government in the early 1990s and continues to be observed by tribes, organizations, and individuals today.
The Cherokee and Creek nations are the two largest groups with roots in the Atlanta area. The state of Georgia recognizes three tribes, the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee, the Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe, and the Cherokee of Georgia Tribal Council; none are federally recognized. However, the legacy and present-day contributions of Native Americans in Georgia can be found in a variety of media, technology, and cultural institutions.
With your library card, you have access to resources that will entertain, educate, and emphasize the important role that Native Americans play in the world today. For example, with one of our attraction passes for the Atlanta History Museum you can visit the Native Lands exhibit for free.
The GA State Parks Pass will also provide free access to historical sites like New Echota, the Cherokee capital from the 1820s, or the Etowah Mounds, the site of a Native American city dating to nearly one thousand years ago.
For a more modern perspective on Native American culture and nations, try reading a book from our collection like We Had a Little Real Estate Problem: The Unheralded Story of Native Americans in Comedy by Kliph Nesteroff or On Savage Shores: How Indigenous Americans Discovered Europe. For a full list of recommendations, see the list below.
--Laura Strellrecht, Librarian
November is Native American Heritage Month. Try out some of these book recommendations for entertaining and informative reads!
Sources
Add a comment to: Native American Heritage Month