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Honoring Native Voices: Authentic Resources for Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month, celebrated each November, offers educators a meaningful opportunity to honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous peoples while fostering deeper understanding and respect among students. View this collection of lesson plans that explore contemporary issues Native Americans face, virtual museum tours of Indigenous art and artifacts, activities that connect students with local tribal histories and land acknowledgments, and information about the ongoing contributions of Indigenous communities to science, art, literature, and social justice. By thoughtfully integrating these resources, teachers can help students develop critical thinking skills about representation, challenge misconceptions, and cultivate a genuine appreciation for the enduring legacy and contemporary vitality of Native American cultures.

Grades 9-12

Monah

Monah has lessons on the First People, including the Choctaw Code Talkers of World War I, The Tonkawa People, and others. Lesson plans include an introduction, materials, learning objectives, slides, quizzes, websites, primary sources, and map activities.

Grades K-8

Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

This diverse collection of resources provides many opportunities to experience the culture of Indigenous peoples of the Americas through visual arts, dance, music, and more. The site also features videos of Native American artists discussing their craft.

Grades 6-12

Zitkala-Sa/Gertrude Simmons Bonnin

Introduce your students to the inspiring life of Zitkala-Sa (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin), a Yankton Dakota writer, musician, and political activist. Zitkala-Sa co-composed and wrote the libretto for “The Sun Dance Opera,” the first American Indian opera.

Grades 6-12

American Experience: Native Americans

This PBS LearningMedia collection offers documentaries and resources about Indigenous histories, including the American Indian Movement, the Trail of Tears, boarding schools, and Civil War involvement.

Grades 4-8

Coyote Story

This video tells the story of a Coyote who discovers a group of ducks and devises a plan to trick them. This traditional Chippewa tale, shared in the Ojibwe storytelling tradition, aims to bring Native American stories to broader audiences.

Grades 4-7

White Cloud: A Hero to His People

This National Gallery of Art lesson for grades 4–7 explores White Cloud, an Iowa tribal leader who traveled to Europe in the 1840s. Activities include reenactments, researching tribes affected by Indian Removal, creating hero portraits, and writing.

Grades K-12

National Museum of the American Indian

The National Museum of the American Indian contains an expansive collection of Native American artifacts. The museum's online offerings include photographs, media, and additional resources for educators and students, including lesson plans.

Grades K-12

Native American Heritage Month

Discover this collection of accessible videos and resources. It offers media (including captions and audio descriptions) about the diverse histories, folklores, and cultural contributions of distinct tribes, including historical context.

Grades K-12

Native Knowledge 360 Education Initiative

Access live and recorded webinars and lesson resources about the proper use of primary sources, understanding problematic narratives about Native Americans, virtual field trips, and more. Several lessons are available in Spanish.

Grades K-2

Molly of Denali

This collection offers engaging videos, games, and activities that help young learners develop reading, research, and critical thinking skills, all while gaining a deeper appreciation for Alaska Native heritage and the natural world.

Grades 6-12

DocsTeach American Indians Primary Resources

View the American Indian section to access historical documents, primary sources, interactive activities, photographs, maps, and videos that explore various aspects of Native American life, including policies and U.S. government relations.

Grades 7-12

Living Nation, Living Words: A Guide for Educators

This Library of Congress resource offers lesson plans for exploring contemporary poetry by 47 Native American poets. It helps students in ELA and social studies engage with the themes of identity and resilience in Indigenous works.

This Week at TeachersFirst

Join us on Tuesday for our final OK2Ask virtual workshop in the fall 2025 season! We're also sharing a related blog post and a special topics collection about Native Americans' contributions to American culture. Read the details below.