Native American Heritage Month at GFA
By Zoma Tessema ‘23
Native American Heritage Month acts as a way for the GFA community to recognize the contribution of Native Americans in the establishment of our nation and to highlight their culture.
Initially, Native American Heritage Month started out as “American Indian Day” in 1915. In November 1990, George W. Bush extended the day to include the whole month. To learn more about what this month means to GFA, the Beachside Express interviewed Shanelle Henry, the Director of Equity and Inclusion.
Henry explains that Native American Heritage Month gives representation to Native Americans who have historically been left out of our retelling of history, especially in the GFA curriculum. The month serves as a way to add missing information to various peoples’ perspectives and understanding of histories, especially since mainstream American culture seems to think that Native Americans, in Mrs. Henry’s words, “don’t exist.”
“If we’re only teaching about [Native Americans] in one way, then that’s going to be the perception.”
Henry recognizes that the distinction of the month may make Native American voices feel separated from American history, but the month was created to emphasize that fact that Native American history is a part of American history. She also recognizes that retelling Native history can be fraught and that it’s especially important to pay attention to who’s telling that history. In her program, she makes sure to talk about the positive aspects of indigenous history, especially since the story of Native Americans in the US includes genocide and oppression. However, Henry emphasizes that no matter which division she’s talking to, she still places equity and inclusion at the forefront: “The words may change, but really, we’re having students understand why … it’s important to understand someone else – someone who may be different than you.”
When asked about the discussions GFA has had around Native American Heritage Month, Henry admits that they have been minimal. “Outside of the history classroom, for example, … middle school advisory programs – homerooms – have done some activities. There hasn’t been a … comprehensive programmatic approach to it, at this point,” she said. Of the few conversations that have taken place, Henry still believes that they’ve been effective: “Have they been helpful? Yes. Enough? No.” She recognizes that a lot more can be done when it comes to bringing indigenous diversity to GFA – not just in programs and classrooms – but in students and faculty.
“In spaces like this and at GFA, when looking at students, the numbers are small… I think at GFA, I have to get the exact number from admissions, it might be 2%?”
In reference to future plans GFA has to talk about Native American Heritage Month, Henry reveals that there are no programs for this year, but her team has been looking into speakers for the 2023-2024 school year.
With or without GFA’s supposed support, this November’s Native American Heritage Month is vital when recognizing the importance of the indigenous community at GFA.
