The ArtCenter Library celebrates National Native American Heritage Month this November and honors the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and contributions of Native Americans to our nation’s history and identity. We take this month to reflect on the resilience, wisdom, and enduring legacy of indigenous people who have shaped the tapestry of America for centuries.

The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. The event culminated an effort by Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation, who rode across the United States on horseback seeking approval from 24 state governments to designate a day to honor American Indians. Since 1994, US Congress recognizes November as National Native American Heritage Month.

ArtCenter College of Design acknowledges that our institution sits on the land of the Gabrielino-Tongva people, who historically inhabited the San Gabriel Valley area around present day Pasadena and Altadena. We honor their contributions to this region and give thanks for the opportunity to live, work and learn on the unceded ancestral lands of the Gabrielino-Tongva people. ArtCenter Land Acknowledgement Statement.

More information on the Gabrielino-Tongva Nation.