Native American Heritage Month, established in 1990, is celebrated every November in the United States. It aims to honor and keep alive the rich cultures, traditions and histories of the many Native American and Alaska Native communities. American institutions observe this month with educational programmes, cultural events, and activities that highlight how Native peoples have shaped American history and society.
Today, less than 2% of Americans have some Native American ancestry. This group is different from all the other U.S. minorities, as Native Americans are the original inhabitants of the American continent. Over time, they were forced off their lands by European colonizers, facing wars of aggression and ethnic cleansing. For many years, well into the 20th century, Native Americans were the victims of racism, and they were represented in negative ways, like being portrayed as the “bad guys” in old western movies. This is no longer the case, but there is still work to be done to raise awareness about what happened in the past.
Because of this, Native American Heritage Month also helps people understand the struggles Native communities have faced, and it helps to address ongoing issues, such as representation in media and in history books.
1) Do you know any Native American characters in novels, films or TV series? In your opinion, are they portrayed realistically? Describe.
2) Should we have a Heritage Month for all or only for some of the cultures and ethnic groups that make up a nation? What criteria should we apply to decide? Share your opinion.
(Carlo Dellonte)
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