November is a time to learn, honor and celebrate the history and legacy of Indigenous Peoples in the United States.
Hello, young readers!
Did you know that November is Indigenous Peoples Month, opens a new window? It’s a special time to celebrate and learn about the Native peoples, opens a new window who have lived on this land for thousands of years, long before Colorado became a state!
Arapahoe county is on the traditional lands of the Arapaho, Cheyenne and Ute Nations. These communities have rich histories, languages, stories and traditions that are still alive today. Indigenous Peoples Month is all about listening, learning and celebrating the cultures that help shape our world.
What Does Indigenous Mean?
Indigenous means the first people who lived in a place. Indigenous Peoples are the original caretakers of the land we live on today. Long before cities, schools or highways were built, Indigenous tribes and nations had their own homes, languages, traditions and ways of living in balance with nature.
There are over 570 federally recognized tribes in the United States, and each one is unique! Some well-known tribes include the Navajo (Diné), Cherokee, Lakota, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), Choctaw and Hopi, just to name a few.
Why do we celebrate this month?
Learning about Indigenous peoples helps us respect different cultures, understand American history better and become kind, curious citizens of the world. Indigenous people are not just part of the past, they are a big part of today and tomorrow. Indigenous Peoples Month is also a time to listen and learn about the challenges Indigenous people have faced, continue to face today and learn how we can be good friends and allies.
What's being celebrated during Indigenous Peoples Month?
- Stories passed down through generations
- Languages that are still spoken today
- Music, dances and clothing that show culture and pride
- Art and crafts like beadwork, weaving and pottery
- Respect for nature and living in harmony with the Earth
Ways to celebrate as a family
Here are some fun and respectful ways your family can celebrate:
-
Read Indigenous books. Try books written by Indigenous authors or about Native heroes.
- Watch and listen. Look for music, cartoons and videos made by Native artists. PBS Kids and YouTube sometimes have special programs for Indigenous Peoples’ Month.
- Try a new craft. Make a simple nature-inspired craft, like a woven bracelet or painted rocks with symbols of animals, water or the sun. Just make sure you’re being respectful and not copying sacred designs!
- Learn whose land you’re on. Websites like Native-Land.ca, opens a new window allow you to search with your family to find out which Indigenous tribes first lived where you live now. Say their names out loud and learn a bit about them.
- Visit a museum or event. Some museums or libraries host Indigenous Peoples’ Month events with storytelling, dance and food. Ask a grown-up to help find one near you.
Celebrate with the community
- Denver American Indian Festival, opens a new window is a free, family-friendly celebration of American Indian culture, arts and history held in Lakewood in October.
- Native Indigenous Heritage Month Kick-Off, opens a new window is a food fair and community showcase. Celebrate the rich cultures and traditions of Native and Indigenous communities at their event on Monday, November 4, 2025 from 11 am-1 pm.
- Denver March Pow-Wow, opens a new window happens in March every year and features over 1,500 American Indian dancers, singers and artisans from across North America. The Pow-Wow celebrates Native American culture through intertribal singing, dancing and storytelling, and offers a family-friendly opportunity for everyone to appreciate indigenous traditions, history and art.
“We are still here.” Indigenous Peoples’ Month reminds us that Native people are not just part of history, they are part of the present and future, too. Let's listen, learn and celebrate together!
Add a comment to: Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Month With Arapahoe Libraries!