Native American Heritage Month
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
Congress requested the President of the United States to set aside a week in November 1986 to recognize American Indian Week, prompting then-President Reagan to issue a proclamation acknowledging Native Americans as not only the first peoples and lawful occupants of North America, but also as the group responsible for the original traditions, cultures, and foods of the United States. The week was expanded to a full month by Congress in 1990 to commemorate the “essential contributions” of Native Americans to the country, including the critical assistance tribal members provided to European immigrants, enabling them to survive in the US. November was selected because it corresponds with the North American harvest season and is traditionally considered a season of gratitude.
Explore our collection of books and resources highlighting Indigenous cultures, stories, and achievements.
Kitsap Regional Library Land Acknowledgement
Kitsap Regional Library humbly acknowledges the people of the Coast Salish Tribes, both past and present, who have been the guardians, cultivators, and stewards of the lands and waters where we live, work, and gather.
With gratitude, we seek to honor the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe—nəxʷqiyt nəxʷsƛ̓̀̀áy’əm'— and the Suquamish Tribe—dxʷsəq̓ʷəb—on whose homelands the Library's nine branches are now located and with whom we hope to work alongside by understanding their histories and cultures, respectfully stewarding resources, and fostering authentic relationships.
We acknowledge that the ancestral lands where we are situated continue to be sites of trade, gathering, celebration, and tribal sovereignty despite a history of displacement, erasure, and unjust treatment.
In recognition of this, we commit to the following actions:
- Strengthen our relationship with the Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribal governments.
- Continue our education about the histories, cultures, and current issues faced by the Suquamish and Port Gamble S'Klallam tribes and Indigenous peoples as a whole.
- Actively seek to partner and collaborate to ensure their voices are included, heard, and respected.
Heritage Month & Identity Celebrations
Aligned with our values of equity, service, and curiosity, Kitsap Regional Library proudly celebrates a range of heritage months throughout the year. Our goal is to honor and reflect the unique makeup of our community—with a focus on recognizing historically marginalized communities—and demonstrate that we are open to all.