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Native American Heritage Month 2026: Dates and History

Last updated: November 2, 2026

Quick answer

Native American Heritage Month is observed every November in the United States to honor American Indians and Alaska Natives. In 2026 it runs from Sunday, Nov. 1 through Monday, Nov. 30. Native American Heritage Day falls on Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving.

Key facts

Dates in 2026: Sunday, Nov. 1 through Monday, Nov. 30.
Native American Heritage Day: the Friday after Thanksgiving, which is Nov. 27, 2026. Congress set this in the Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009.
Other names: the month is also called National American Indian Heritage Month and American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.
Origin of the month: Congress asked the president to proclaim November 1990 as National American Indian Heritage Month, and President George H.W. Bush issued the proclamation.
History.com reports that presidents issued proclamations every year through 2024.
Federal partners include the Library of Congress, National Archives, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service and the Smithsonian, which share events and resources at NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.gov.

Where the month came from

Efforts to recognize Native Americans with a national observance go back to the early 1900s. The modern month grew out of several smaller steps over the years.

Year	What happened
1976	President Gerald Ford designated a Native American Awareness Week.
1990	Congress passed a resolution and President George H.W. Bush proclaimed November 1990 as National American Indian Heritage Month.
1991 and after	Congress asked that November be proclaimed each year, and presidents have issued yearly proclamations since (History.com confirms them through 2024).
2009	Congress passed the Native American Heritage Day Act, setting the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day.

Sources: History.com, an Ivy Tech library guide and El Semanario.

Which name is right?

Federal agencies and presidents have used more than one name over the years. "Native American Heritage Month" and "American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month" both refer to the same November observance. Different tribal nations and communities also have their own preferred terms for themselves.

How people take part

The Library of Congress, National Archives, National Park Service, Smithsonian and other federal groups host exhibits, talks and online collections during November. Many libraries, schools and museums run their own displays and events. Start with NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.gov or your local library or museum calendar to find what is happening near you.

What we could not confirm

Whether a presidential proclamation was issued for November 2026. History.com confirms proclamations through 2024; we did not confirm one for 2026.
A national theme for 2026. Some organizations announce their own themes, and we did not confirm an official one.
Local event dates. Events vary by city, school and museum, so check each organizer.
Whether NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.gov lists 2026 events. We did not check the live site.

Frequently asked questions

When is Native American Heritage Month 2026?

It runs from Sunday, Nov. 1 through Monday, Nov. 30, 2026.

When is Native American Heritage Day 2026?

It falls on Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving.

How did Native American Heritage Month start?

Congress asked the president to proclaim November 1990 as National American Indian Heritage Month, and President George H.W. Bush did. Yearly proclamations followed.

Is it called Native American or American Indian Heritage Month?

Both names are used for the same November observance, along with American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

Where can I find events?

Start with NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.gov, the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, and your local library or museum.