November is Native American Heritage Month. This month has been federally designated since 1990, but the push for formally recognizing the contributions of Native Americans dates back to 1916 in New York State. In , the first recognition of what at the time was called National American Indian Heritage Month, President Bush noted the rich, thriving cultures, wisdom, and skills that Native Americans had before European arrival. He also noted, ” …each of the many tribes that have inhabited this great land boasts a long and fascinating legacy of its own.”
At º£½ÇÂÒÂ×, we recognize that Native American Heritage Month is one celebration that encompasses a wide variety of cultures and lived experiences, as the US government currently recognizes . These groups have many shared experiences, especially in regards to their historic treatment by European settlers and the US government, but they also have unique cultures with their own customs, languages, governance, etc.
Last year, we celebrated by learning about the 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan. This year, º£½ÇÂÒÂ× invites you to join us in learning about the Potawatomi, who are closely associated with the area now known as Farmington Hills.
The Potawatomi lived in agricultural villages, and while hunting and gathering were common, their dietary staples were the “Three Sisters.” The “Three Sisters” refer to corn, beans, and squash, which are complementary both in their nutritional values and in how they grow. Check out this webpage from the Potawatomi Nation for .
Prior to European arrival, the traditional Potawatomi art turned everyday objects into beauty, such as using berries as dye and using porcupine quills for elaborate decoration. Much of Potawatomi art also had everyday uses, like woven bags and rush mats. The artistic style of traditional Potawatomi clothing also became a sign of their resilience and uniqueness as they did not assimilate to Western dress until much later than other tribal nations.
One of the traditional Potawatomi instruments is called the shishigwen. The shishigwen is unique because it is a rattle that can be filled with anything from rocks to beans, giving each one a unique sound. In Potawatomi culture, the shishigwen often accompany drums in songs as a form of prayer. If you want to hear this music for yourself, check out this playlist of .
The Potawatomi have numerous cultural values, many of which are highlighted in the story of the Seven Grandfathers in which the people were gifted wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility, and truth. This story is told to children beginning at a very young age to teach them about the world.
You can learn more about the Potawatomi people by visiting the . We recommend starting with the .
*Native American Heritage Month is the title used in the most recent official government proclamations for the month and therefore the purpose of this blog. However, it is important to acknowledge that some members of the community prefer the usage of other terms such as Indigenous, First Nations, etc. The best practice is to use specific tribal names, but this is not always possible. For more information read .