Native American Heritage Month

Submitted by david.rockwood on
Goshute Pow-wow

The month of November is National Native American Heritage Month. “America is a vast land of many cultures dating back thousands of years to the original inhabitants of the land” (National Park Service). The Payson area specifically has long been home to the Ute (Northern Ute),  Shoshone (Northwestern Band), Paiute (Indian Peaks, Cedar Peaks, Shivwits, Kanosh, and Koosharem Bands), and Goshute (Skull Valley Band and Confederated Band) peoples. These lands have carried their lives, cultures, and stories for centuries, and continue to do so today.

The first celebration of a Native American Day was in May of 1916. In 1990 a joint resolution, passed in Congress and approved by President George H.W. Bush, designated November as National Native American Heritage Month. As the resolution states: Native Americans “have made an essential and unique contribution to our nation . . . and the world” (U.S. Senate). During this important month, we recognize these valuable historical and cultural contributions from those of Native American heritage to the broader fabric of our community.

To read more about the indigenous peoples of Utah you can visit the Utah Division of Indian Affairs website. And more information about the Nebo School District's programs for Native American students can be found on the district website. You can also read Payson High School’s Land Acknowledgement on our website.