November is American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month
November is American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, a time to honor the nation’s tribal cultures and history.
The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916, in New York. The event culminated an effort by Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation, who rode across the nation on horseback seeking approval from 24 state governments to have a day to honor American Indians.
In 1990, more than seven decades later, then-President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating the month of November “National American Indian Heritage Month.”
Similar proclamations have been issued every year since 1994 to recognize what is now called “American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.”
In Lake County, the Board of Supervisors presented a proclamation for Native American Heritage Month at its Nov. 8 meeting.
The American Indian and Alaska Native population is one of the six major race categories defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
The following facts are possible thanks to responses to the U.S. Census Bureau’s surveys.
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3.7 million
The nation's American Indian and Alaska Native population alone in 2020. This population group identifies as AIAN only and did not identify with any other race.
10.1 million
The projected American Indian and Alaska Native population alone or in combination with other race groups on July 1, 2060, about 2.5% of the projected total U.S. population.
3,438
The American Indian and Alaska Native population alone or in combination with other race groups in Lake County, California, for 2021, or about 5% of the county’s entire population.
324
The number of distinct, federally recognized American Indian reservations in 2022, including federal reservations and off-reservation trust land.
574
The number of federally recognized Indian tribes in 2022.
7
The number of federally recognized Indian tribes in Lake County, California, in 2022. They are the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians of the Big Valley Rancheria, Elem Indian Colony of Pomo Indians of the Sulphur Bank Rancheria, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, Koi Nation of Northern California, Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California, Robinson Rancheria and Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians of California.
120,944
The number of single-race American Indian and Alaska Native veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces in 2021.