Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month Events 2023

Native American Heritage Month Timeline

When: Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: UTC Lupton Hall 1st floor
Sponsor: Office of Multicultural Affairs

Visit the Multicultural Center in Lupton Hall 119, to learn through our visual timeline about Native American Heritage Month from November 1- 30, 2023.

Honoring Native Veterans: Meet the designer of the National Native American Veterans Memorial

When: Saturday, November 11, 2023
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Virtual, click link to view livestream (Free event)
Sponsor: Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Memorial designer and veteran, Harvey Pratt, and curator Rebecca Trautmann discuss the design process and creation of the National Native American Veterans Memorial. Recognize and honor the military service of Native Americans on Veterans Day 2023. Events include family activities; a presentation about the National Native American Veterans Memorial by the memorial designer, Harvey Pratt (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma), and curator Rebecca Trautmann; special hospitality for veterans; and a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial, preceded by the presentation of colors by the Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society.

Native Cinema Showcase 2023

When: November 17 - 24, 2023
Where: Virtual, click here to explore
Sponsor: Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian * All films are offered free of charge

The National Museum of the American Indian’s Native Cinema Showcase is an annual celebration of the best in Native film. This year’s theme highlights films of Indigenous perseverance that inspire, uplift, and triumph against adversity—stories that prevail against the judicial system, generational trauma, and cultural appropriation through love and complex relationships, self-worth, and humor. The showcase provides a unique forum for engagement with Native filmmakers from Indigenous communities throughout the Western Hemisphere and Arctic.   

All films available on demand: 
Aitamaako'tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun
L'Inhumain
The Legend of Molly Johnson
Powerlands
Rosie
We Are Still Here
Connections Shorts Program
Future-Focused Shorts Program
Inside Out Shorts Program
Pacifika Shorts Program

This program is funded in part by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.

Prominent Native American sites in the Chattanooga area

Red Clay State Historic Park

1140 Red Clay Park Road S.W. Cleveland, TN 37311
(Learn More)

Citico Mound

Citico Town and Mound was a major center of the Coosa confederacy, at the mouth of Citico Creek in the area of what is now Chattanooga, Tennessee.  (Learn More) See short video exploring the Citico Mound (Pyramid) - (Learn More)

THE PASSAGE   

100 Riverfront Pkwy, Chattanooga, TN 37402
(Learn more) The Passage is a pedestrian link between downtown Chattanooga and the Tennessee River and marks the beginning of the Trail of Tears.

Ross’ Landing

Cherokee Chief John Ross "John Ross (Guwisguwi)" - Ross' Landing and the origin story of Greater Chattanooga ( Learn more  ) Short documentary film shared by WTCI PBS. Explores the Cherokee Nation of the Tennessee Valley and the leadership of Chief John Ross in shaping the Chattanooga area.

Virtual Resources and Exhibits

Virtual Exhibits offered by Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of the American Indian 

ANCESTORS KNOW WHO WE ARE , WHY WE SERVE, DEVELOPING STORIES, AMERICANS, NATION TO NATION, THE GREAT INKA ROAD, INDELIBLE, INFINITY OF NATIONS, CIRCLE OF DANCE, A SONG FOR THE HORSE NATION, HIDE

Where: Virtual, click here to see gallery of the titles listed above.

Details: Virtual exhibits hosted by the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C showcasing various aspects of the Native American experience. 

American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage with UTC Library

When: November 1st to November 30th, 2023

Where: Click here to see electronic collections

Details: E- Books and e-videos to allow you to explore at your own pace. Also see weekly themed displays of ebooks on timely topics to promote the wide array of engaging resources.

Sponsor: UTC Library

Inventions and discoveries that have changed the way we live. (Learn more)

Native American History Timeline 

As explorers sought to colonize their land, Native Americans responded in various stages, from cooperation to indignation to revolt.(Learn more)

Native Land Digital

Where: Virtual, Click here to explore

Virtual interactive map project that is working to identify Native/Indigenous Lands. 

Stay engaged with

Native American Student Alliance ( N.A.S.A.) 

There has been student interest expressed in establishing an organization that promotes and preserves Native American and Indigenous heritage.

If you would like to learn more or be included in updates on bringing this organization to UTC, complete the MocSync form below. The survey form asks general information that would be helpful in addressing your goals and assisting with the establishment of this new organization here on campus. Click here to complete the interest form.

Preservation and Education Organizations

Chattanooga InterTribal Association(CITA) (Learn More)

Cherokee Indian Removal Memorial and Museum (Learn More)

Native American Indian Association of Tennessee (Learn More)

Native American Services - Center for Cherokee Heritage Museum and Gallery (Learn More)

Native History Association East Tennessee (Learn More)

Additional Resources - 

NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY IN CHATTANOOGA - Chattanooga Tourism Co. (Learn More)

THE UNTOLD STORY OF NATIVE AMERICAN ACTIVISM IN CHATTANOOGA - Rising Rock (Learn More)

NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY AT AUDUBON ACRES - Chattanooga Audubon Society (Learn More)