Background Information
Welcome back to the Crafting Rainbow series, where we turn important ideas into fun, hands-on activities! This month, we’re diving into the history and spirit of the land we live on by creating a beautiful and educational Land Acknowledgement Map, timed perfectly for National Native American Heritage Month.
Native American Heritage Month is observed every November in the United States to recognize and celebrate the diverse cultures, rich histories, and enduring contributions of Native Americans and Alaska Natives—the original inhabitants and first stewards of this land.
Efforts to honor the “First Americans” began in the early 20th century, evolving from state-level “American Indian Day” observations into a week-long federal observance in the 1980s. The month of November was officially designated as National American Indian Heritage Month in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush, and the timing often coincides with the traditional harvest season, a time of thanksgiving and gathering for many Native American communities.
A Land Acknowledgment Map to Honor Native American Heritage Month
Land Acknowledgement is a formal statement of respect that recognizes the Indigenous Peoples as the ongoing, traditional stewards of the land on which we reside. This practice is fundamentally rooted in the long and enduring history of Indigenous nations and serves as a vital step toward reconciliation and correcting the historical erasure that resulted from colonization. By creating a Land Acknowledgment Map using resources like Native Land Digital, we empower children (and the young at heart!) to take a personal, proactive step in honoring the past and showing respect for the people who have been caretakers of the land for generations.
🎨 Materials You’ll Need
- A computer, tablet, or phone to access the Native Land Digital website.
- Large sheet of paper or poster board.
- Markers, colored pencils, or crayons (especially earth tones like brown, green, and blue).
- A pencil and eraser.
- Optional: Glitter, stickers, or felt scraps for decorating.
🗺️ Step 1: Find Your Place on Native Land Digital
Go to the Map: Open your browser and go to the Native Land Digital website at https://native-land.ca/.
Search Your Location: Use the search bar on the map to type in your city, state, or address.
Identify the Nations: The map will zoom in and show different colored regions. The names of the Indigenous Nations, Territories, or Tribes that traditionally lived—and continue to live—on or near your current location will pop up!
Write Them Down: Gently write down the names you see. If you see more than one, that’s okay! Many places are the traditional homelands of several different nations.
🖍️ Step 2: Draw Your Map Base
Sketch Your Area: On your large sheet of paper, draw a simple outline of your neighborhood, city, or state. You don’t need to be perfect! Just draw enough of the shape so you know where your home is.
Mark Your Home: Draw a little house or a heart where you live.
Color the Land: Use your markers or crayons to color the land area. This is the territory you are learning about!
✨ Step 3: Map the Acknowledgment
This is where the craft becomes your personal acknowledgment!
Trace the Borders (Optional): If the borders on the Native Land Digital map are simple enough, you can try to lightly draw them onto your paper to show the different nations.
Add the Names: In large, clear letters, write the names of the Indigenous Nations you found (from Step 1) right on top of your colored land. Make them stand out!
Create Your Key: In a corner of your map, write a small title: “My Land Acknowledgment.”
Write a sentence like: “I live on the traditional territory of the [Nation Name(s)] people.”
Add a sentence showing respect, like: “I honor the Indigenous people who have cared for this land since time immemorial.”
Decorate: Use stickers, glitter, or special colors to make the names and your acknowledgment message pop!
More Information
FOR KIDS
Picture Books:
- We Are Water Protectors – Carole Lindstrom
- Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story – Kevin Noble Maillard
- The First Blade of Sweetgrass – Suzanne Greenlaw & Gabriel Frey
- When We Are Kind – Monique Gray Smith
- Encounter – Brittany Luby
- Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes – Wab Kinew
- Bowwow Powwow – Brenda J. Child
- Contenders – Christine Day
Chapter Books:
- Indian No More – Charlene Willing McManis
- An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People – Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz (adapted by Jean Mendoza & Debbie Reese)
- Twins – Carole Lindstrom
- Healer of the Water Monster – Brian Young
- Reunion Blues – Lisa Charleyboy
- A Boy Called Bat (series features an Indigenous family) – Elana K. Arnold
Websites:
- PBS Kids: Molly of Denali – https://pbskids.org/molly (An animated series featuring an Alaska Native girl and her family, focusing on community, culture, and nature.)
- Native Knowledge 360° (National Museum of the American Indian) – https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/ (Educational resources for students and educators.)
FOR ADULTS
Websites & Organizations:
- National Native American Heritage Month (Library of Congress) – https://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/ (A collaborative website by various U.S. cultural institutions, offering resources, exhibits, and events.)
- National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian) – https://americanindian.si.edu/ (Explore collections, exhibitions, and educational programs.)
- Native Land Digital – https://native-land.ca/ (The interactive map we used for this craft, with extensive resources for further learning about territories, languages, and treaties worldwide.)
- IllumiNative – https://illuminative.org/ (A Native-led nonprofit that works to increase the visibility of Native narratives and challenge negative stereotypes.)
- National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) – https://www.ncai.org/ (The oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization serving the broad interests of tribal governments and communities.)
MORE ABOUT LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
- Native Governance Center: A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgment – https://nativegov.org/a-guide-to-indigenous-land-acknowledgment/
- Understanding Land Acknowledgements (Native Land Digital) – https://native-land.ca/resources/glossary/land-acknowledgement/
Sources
Ohio University Center for Student Engagement & Leadership
https://www.ohio.edu/engagement/history-heritage-programming/native-american-heritage-month
U.S. Department of the Interior – Indian Affairs
https://www.bia.gov/NNAHM