November 2023

Native American Heritage Month

Each November we celebrate Native American Heritage Month. This month provides a wonderful opportunity to honor and appreciate the rich, diverse, and enduring cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples throughout the United States. It is important to reflect on ways we honor and celebrate Native Americans, as well as ways we may unintentionally harm them.

Language plays a critical role in how we interact and build relationships and it’s important to understand how the following phrases may harm Native communities.

Pow-wows

The term "powwow" originates from the traditions of Indigenous peoples in North America and holds significant cultural and spiritual importance for many tribes and nations. Using the term to describe a non-Indigenous meeting appropriates and trivializes Indigenous culture.

Circle the Wagons

The phrase is associated with a historical context where settlers were often in conflict with Indigenous peoples. It perpetuates a narrative that portrays Indigenous peoples as aggressors or threats, reinforcing negative stereotypes.

Low Man on the Totem Pole

Totem poles are a significant and sacred part of the cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples in North America. Using the phrase misrepresents the cultural significance and complexity of totem poles, reducing them to a simplistic metaphor.

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Upcoming Professional Development

Please get supervisor approval before registering for any professional development events. Thank you!

Cultural and Linguistic History of Western New York

hosted by the I.D.E.A. Committee

To understand how an organization evolves, it is important to understand how the community it supports has evolved. Join the I.D.E.A. Professional Development Subcommittee for an overview about how Western New York has evolved culturally and linguistically over its history and what impact this has in our schools and community.

November 15

12:00 - 1:00pm | Education Campus: B1 | Register

3:00 - 4:00pm | VIRTUAL | Register

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