Indigenous/Native communities across the USA celebrate diverse traditions with art, food, and recovered language programs [because the USA made speaking Native languages a punishable offense until 1978 in an overt act of ethnic cleansing, slow genocide, and permanenterasure] during November’s heritage month.
Origin story debates: Historian Ned Blackhawk calls for integrating Indigenous histories into U.S. founding narratives, highlighting exclusion and sovereignty issues.
Science reshapes timeline: New archeological and genetic evidence pushes back the arrival of the first Americans [beyond 10,000 years before present], challenging the Clovis‑first model and supporting coastal migration [Ancient Paleo-Siberian, Beringian] theories.
November’s Native American Heritage Month is being marked by community events ranging from salmonberry harvests in Alaska to traditional tattoo revival in Oklahoma.
In parallel, historian Ned Blackhawk uses the occasion to challenge dominant U.S. origin narratives, arguing that Indigenous histories and the anti‑Native ideologies embedded in foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence must be confronted.
His work links these historical perspectives to ongoing questions about tribal sovereignty and democratic inclusion (The Nation).
The shamanic impulse and dance
Native communities celebrate heritage through diverse activities
Families in Kipnuk, Alaska gather salmonberries, maintaining subsistence traditions after typhoon disruptions
Students at Wicoie Nandagikendan learn Ojibwe and Dakota language, syrup-making at sugarbush camp
Indigenous girls secured legal rights for a river through council resolution and advocacy
Artists like Fawn Douglas revive traditional basketmaking using modern materials in Las Vegas, Nevada
Muscogee tattoo artist Hodokii Johnson preserves ancestral markings, emphasizing cultural and spiritual significance
Blackhawk’s call for a revised origin story coincides with the U.S. approaching its 250th anniversary, a moment he describes as a crisis in national self‑definition.
He emphasizes that the framing of the nation’s beginnings shapes perceptions of belonging, legitimacy of claims, and visions for the future. By centering Native America in Revolutionary‑era history, he connects past patterns of racialization and dispossession to present‑day democratic institutions and public trust. More
The growing Latinx (Latina and Latino combined) population, popularly referred to as Hispanic (descended from Spain) is too big to be contained in one month. So we take up two, the second half of September and the first half of October.
It might have been better to claim November with its mass celebration of el Dia de los Muertos or "the Day of the Dead," which is quickly becoming the new Cinco de Mayo, the American celebration of "Mexican Independence Day."
Of course, Independence Day actually falls not on the 5th of May (cinco de mayo) but on Sept. 16th (el Grito de Dolores, "Cry of Dolores," which being a place rather than a person called Dolores, should perhaps be rendered "Shout from Dolores," a word that literally means "pains" as in birth pangs) at the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month. What do most Americans want, fanatical popularity or technical accuracy?
If "we are what we eat," can I be Mexican by eating real Mexican food?
(Business Insider) How one chef is fighting to preserve a cooking tool as old as civilization itself | Still Standing: the hand-mill or metate ("mealing stone," quern-stone for grinding ingredients)
What if I want to eat like a real American from the Americas?
More than a cookbook, Decolonize Your Diet restores what "traditional" Mexican food means by reaching back through centuries of history to reclaim heritage crops as a source of protection from modern diseases-of-development. It was compiled by partners, California professors, and co-authors Luz Calvo and Catriona Rueda Esquibel.
When Calvo was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, they both radically changed their diets and began seeking out recipes featuring indigenous, healthy, vegetarian Mexican foods.
Did Mossad bring Mexico under Jewish rule?
This led to the promotion of a diet rich in plants indigenous to the Americas (amaranth, maize, beans, squash, greens, herbs, and seeds) and a passionate idea that Latinxs in America, specifically Mexicans, need to ditch the colonial garbage, synthetic, artificial, and toxic fast food and return to their own culture's food roots for physical health and spiritual fulfillment.
This vegan and vegetarian cookbook features over 100 colorful recipes based on Mesoamerican cuisine and also includes contributions from indigenous cultures throughout the Americas. It is a winner of the International Latino Book Award for Best Cookbook. More
What's National Hispanic Heritage Month?
Presidenta Sheinbaum, deja me.I'll do the talking for the 65 million U.S. Hispanics, okay?
Mes nacional de la herencia hispana is observed annually from September 15 to October 15 in the United States of America ("America" being a big continent, much bigger than the powerfully hegemonic USA) for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic culture to the nation's achievements, culture, and history [1, 2].
National Hispanic Heritage Week was established by legislation sponsored by Democratic Rep. George Brown Jr. of Los Angeles and signed into law by Democratic Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 [3, 4, 5], taking place on the week including both September 15 and 16th [6].
In 1988, the commemorative week was expanded to a month (September 15 to October 15) by legislation sponsored by Rep. Esteban Torres (D–CA), amended by Sen. Paul Simon, and signed into law by Republican Pres. Ronald Reagan [3].
September 15th was chosen as the starting point for the commemoration because it is the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores (early morning, Sept. 16, 1810), which marked the start of the Mexican War of Independence.
In 1821, this resulted in independence for the imperial New Spain Colony, which was actually a viceroyalty (known in the Native language, which has never been Spanish but rather Nahuatl and the Nahuan/Aztecan family of languages as Yankwik Kaxtillan Birreiyotl, but first called the "Kingdom of New Spain," now the United Mexican States or United States of Mexico, Estados Unidos Mexicanos, the Mesoamerican country's official name, and the Central American nations of Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua), which became the Federal Republic of Central America.
The 30-day period also includes many dates of importance in the Hispanic (Spain-descended) community:
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate their anniversary of independence on Sept. 15;
Vesak Month 2026: A Month-Long Celebration of the Buddha | Buddhism.net One day isn’t enough to honor the Enlightened One. While Vesak Day falls on May 31, 2026 [the second full moon of the month on the Gregorian calendar], we’re celebrating at Buddhism.net all month long, with five special episodes of "Vibe with Venerables." Join our global community throughout May to commemorate the Buddha’s birth, great enlightenment, and final nirvana, featuring five special "Vibe with Venerables" episodes. Three leading Buddhist masters -- Bhante Buddharakkhita (Theravada), Trungram Gyalwa Rinpoche (Vajrayana), and Roshi Joan Halifax (Zen) -- will host sessions on the Buddha, alongside two joint sessions with Pali canon sutra experts Bhante Sujato and Venerable Canda. Register
Vesak (Mahamevnawa Meditation Center, North of England)Namo Buddhaya! Commemorating the sacred threefold anniversary of our Great Teacher, the Supremely Enlightened Buddha, Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery, Liverpool, proudly presents a Glorious Vesak Festival 2026 for the 4th consecutive year. We warmly invite all to witness the splendor of Vesak and gather merit. The festival will be held with great devotion at the Liverpool Mahamevnawa Monastery premises on: May 15, 16, and 17, 2026.
Get ready for change! The Vesak (Wesak) Full Moon Festival of Lights 2026 ignites
(WTC) As we are now experiencing the Full Moon of Scorpio on May 1, 2026, it brings with it the ability to step into a transformative energy that allows us to expand more deeply into a new phase of a divine plan. Self comes into focus.
This means that the alignment of Cosmic energies are opening up so that each individual can enter more deeply into the shadow of self and allow for deeper healing to occur within the body's full system (physical-etheric-emotional-mental).
While that may seem like so much “esoteric verbiage,” it carries with it a very real-world shift in what is occurring in terms of our spiritual potential.
The moon in Scorpio can be intensely emotionally challenging each year, as it is a time of deep reflection that allows for an opening of the subconscious mind into a state of purity. This is a rare occasion for humanity to allow for reflection. Doing so can cause emotional upheavals and challenges to occur.
For most of us it is difficult to realize that there are elements in our reality that no longer are working... More: walkingterrachrista.com
Friday the 13th: curse, coincidence, or cultural myth? Let's dig into the legend of Friday the 13th. Where did this fake superstition start? Why do buildings skip the 13th floor? Why do millions still change their plans on this date? From the Knights Templar to Hollywood horror films, let's break down the history, psychology, and alleged strange events tied to the most feared day on the calendar.
Native Americans dancing used to be so beautiful in full regalia. Now we party nearly naked:
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White Indigenous tribes of Scandinavia (Sami)
Tell us more about Native American Heritage Month. National Native American Heritage Month celebrates the culture, contributions, and heritage of Indigenous populations called Native Americans or American-Indians.
In 1990 Pres. George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.”
Decolonize Your Diet (vegan recipes)
Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) have been issued each year since 1994.
This month is a time to educate the public about Native American tribes, raise a general awareness about the unique challenges the Indigenous (First Nations) have faced, and to illuminate the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, join the Los Angeles County Public Library in highlighting how Native communities are taking control over their food sources and production by revitalizing traditional, healthy [predominantly vegan], and localized food sources.
In this hands-on workshop, learn how to start a Salvia columbariae plant and explore its cultural uses among various Native groups.
This event has multiple dates and locations throughout November. View events list below to find the program at the nearest location.
On Nov. 1st, 2025, we learned to make Cloth Medicine Bags with Councilwoman Neminski and Councilwoman Murillo of the Gabrielino/Tongva (Kizh) Nation, who taught the workshop for ages 10 and up.
Beaded Wire Wrap Bracelets Workshop
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2:00-4:00 pm: Councilwomen of the Gabrielino/Tongva (Kizh) Nation teach class for ages 8 and up.
Pine Needle Basket Medallion
Saturday, Nov. 12, 2:00-4:00 pm: Councilwomen teach class for ages 8 and up.
Samhain (SOW-in) or Sauin is a Gaelic festival in Ireland that falls on the Mexican Day of the Dead, Nov. 1st, marking the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year [1].
It is also the Irish and Scottish Gaelic name for November. Celebrations begin on Halloween, the evening of October 31st, since the Celtic day began and ended at sunset [1].
This is about halfway between the autumnal equinox and winter solstice. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals along with Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lughnasa.
Historically it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Its Brittonic Celtic equivalent is Calan Gaeaf in Wales. More
The Citizens of Halloween: "This is Halloween" (from Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas")
(DisneyMusicVEVO) Oct. 14, 2021: Stream “Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Disney+, the only place to stream favorites from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more [because there's absolutely nowhere else to stream. All hail the Disney Corporation!]
(BbaGumpSkrimp) The Making of The Nightmare Before Christmas
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
It was a time of innocent childishness and evil.
Remember waiting all October for Linus to see the Great Pumpkin? This Halloween classic wasn’t just wholesome—it changed American (and Canadian) TV forever. From hidden gags to production secrets and the real reason it almost got banned, here are 10 wild facts about It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! most people didn’t know. Relive the magic of a simpler time. More
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