Native American Heritage Month
While Native American heritage is something to celebrate year-round, the month of November is used to highlight that heritage and celebrate the culture and identities it has cultivated. This month was codified into law in 1990 following Congress and former president George H. W. Bush signing a joint resolution.
The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has commented on how November serves as a “time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiin and other affiliated Island communities.” By celebrating these groups and honoring their rich history, it offers opportunities for them to thrive with each passing generation.
This year’s theme of focus is on how we can affirm native voices, particularly through visibility, leadership and service. This theme was chosen as it reflects an essential perspective that Indigenous communities offer, as well as the need to elevate their historically silenced voices.
There are countless ways you can celebrate this month, many of which are being held on campus. The NDSU Office of Multicultural Programs has a series of events that will be occurring throughout the month. These range from presentations on Indigenous eras, craft opportunities and a coloring contest. Additional information on celebrations can be found on the office’s official NDSU webpage.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month
In 2022, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that there were nearly 583,000 people who experienced being unhoused. Additional data suggests that the rate at which families experience displacement has increased and identifies veterans as a vulnerable population.
While this entire month is used as an opportunity to bring awareness to the issue of being unhoused, there is typically a specific week within it that tries to drive the idea home. This year, Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week will be observed from Nov. 17-23.
There are numerous ways you can get involved locally this month as well. A kick-off event will be hosted from 3-6 p.m. on Nov. 17 at the NDSU Alumni Center featuring family karaoke, food, beverages, quilt raffle and a silent auction.
Additionally, the Fargo-Moorhead Coalition for Homeless Persons will be pairing with the Salvation Army on Nov. 20 to be serving lunch at the local food kitchen downtown. If that’s not your style, feel free to head over at 9 p.m. the following day at MSUM’s library to spend the night. This sleepover extravaganza will include a panel on homelessness awareness and movies related to homelessness.
National Veterans and Military Families Month
To make sure that the commitment our military community demonstrates, as well as the hardships that follow, November is used to make sure resources and support are being given adequately. By making sure this community’s needs are being met, the hope is to provide them with ease that makes living life with confidence achievable.
Through the U.S. Department of Defense and Military OneSource, there are several distinct areas of care that are offered to military personnel and their families. OneSource has identified these topics of support as “parenting, adoption and foster care, relationships, families with special needs, surviving family members, financial support and spousal employment.”
NDSU’s Bison Strides also held an open house from 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 2 at the NDSU Equine Center in collaboration with Heroes Compass and Cass County Veterans Service to celebrate. This event was free to the public and served as an opportunity to bring the community together, as well as connecting with horses while learning about resources provided to military families within the FM area.
Additional Mentions
National Epilepsy Awareness Month; National Family Caregivers Month; National Diabetes Month; National Alzheimer’s Disease Month; Transgender Day of Remembrance; National First Gen College Celebration Week.