The United States observes Native American Heritage Month in November and Native American Heritage Day the day after Thanksgiving, with this year being November 24. This month and day are designated as a time to commemorate the history, heritage, and culture of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives. ‘Native American’ is a broad term that encompasses several different cultures and peoples, with roughly 574 federally-recognized tribes and groups within the United States and many more that are state- or culturally-recognized. In the 2020 Census, more than 2% of the population identified as Native American or Alaskan Native.

Native Americans have always been warriors and have fought to defend their families, cultures, and lands – even from the United States. Despite this complicated relationship and tragic history, many Native American men and women
have served in the U.S. military. Within the Air Force, a little less than 1% of individuals identify as Native American. While this may not seem like a lot, historically Native Americans have the highest per capita service rate compared to any other ethnic group. During World War I and II, Native Americans honorably defended their homelands and the United States, with some having the role as “Code Talkers,” tasked with sending coded messages about troop movements, enemy positions, and other critical information on the battlefield. A variety of American Indian languages were used for this, and while many of the individuals received medals and recognition for their bravery, there was not a broad recognition of the impact of the Code Talkers until decades later. The project was not declassified until 1968, and the individuals were not formally recognized by Congress until 2008. Today, language remains a critical piece of the cultural identity of Native American and Alaskan Native communities, with tribes and groups working hard to keep Native languages alive.

This month, we recognize the role Native Americans and Alaskan Natives have played in both shaping and defending the United States, and say thank you to all who are currently serving in the military.

Native Words, Native Warriors. (n.d.). Americanindian.si.edu. https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/code-talkers/

American Indian History and Heritage | NEH-Edsitement. (n.d.). Edsitement.neh.gov. https:// edsitement.neh.gov/teachers-guides/american-indian-history-and-heritage

National Native American Heritage Day and Month celebrates respect, culture, education. (2022, November 24). Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. https://rb.gy/pb4vt

Bureau, U. C. (n.d.). A Look at the Largest American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and Villages in the Nation, Tribal Areas and States. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/library/ stories/2023/10/2020-census-dhc-a-aian-population.html