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Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

What is Native American Heritage Month? 

November is a time to recognize and honor the diverse traditions, cultures, and invaluable contributions of Native Americans. Native American Heritage Month, also referred to as American Indian or Alaska Native Heritage Month, has been officially observed since 1990, recognizing the remarkable contributions of Indigenous peoples. Its roots trace back to 1915 when Reverend Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe Episcopal priest and a passionate advocate for Native rights, initiated the call to commemorate American Indian Day every second Saturday of May. This annual observance provides an opportunity to honor the diverse traditions, cultures, and contributions of Native Americans (source).

Challenges in Native Housing and the Need for Increased Federal Support

Native Americans and Alaska Natives living on Tribal lands face some of the most critical housing challenges in the United States, stemming from a history of colonization and ongoing systemic discrimination. According to a 2017 study by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), these communities endure higher poverty rates, lower median incomes, and severe housing conditions that far exceed national averages. In addition to overcrowding—where it’s not uncommon for multiple families to share small homes—many residences on Tribal lands lack basic amenities like plumbing, heating, and reliable infrastructure. These harsh conditions are most common in regions such as the Northern Plains, Alaska, and the Southwest (source). 

Compounding these issues, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, and Alaska Native populations experience homelessness at significantly higher rates compared to the general U.S. population. Despite these growing needs, federal investment in affordable housing for Tribal communities has been historically insufficient, and recent policy changes have only exacerbated the shortage of resources. The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) continues to advocate for increased funding to build and preserve affordable housing in these areas, as well as better research and data collection to accurately reflect the housing crisis affecting Native populations (source). 

Addressing these challenges requires not only increased federal investment but also overcoming barriers such as high development costs, limited infrastructure, and discriminatory lending practices. Many lenders are hesitant to provide loans on Native trust lands, and appraisers are difficult to find, resulting in development stagnation. With many Tribal governments identifying infrastructure costs as a significant barrier, building and preserving safe, affordable homes remains a top issue for these communities (source). 

NAHASDA REAUTHORIZATION: CONGRESS MUST UPDATE AND FUND THE “BACKBONE OF INDIAN HOUSING” 

Real Estate and Housing Policy Positively Impacting Native American Communities: 

In 2023, the Biden Administration increased funding for nine Native American Community Development Institutions. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is distributing $9 million through a re-lending program to support low-income families on tribal lands. Additionally, over $1 billion was allocated to address housing and infrastructure needs within Native communities (source). 

Why November? 

Each year since 1990, the President of the United States has officially designated the month of November as National Native American Heritage Month. This particular choice of November by Congress is rooted in the tradition of it marking the conclusion of the traditional harvest season, a time when Native Americans traditionally come together for acts of thanksgiving and celebration (source). 


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