November 1 marks the start of Native American Heritage Month across the United States. Also observed as National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, this month provides an opportunity to recognize the profound contributions, vibrant cultures, and enduring sovereignty of Indigenous peoples.
From the ancestral homelands of Alaska Native peoples across the North to sovereign Tribal Nations and ancestral lands throughout the contiguous United States, our Union honors the generations of Indigenous workers and leaders who have shaped our communities, our aviation history, and the broader labor movement.
The journey toward formal national recognition began more than a century ago through the steadfast advocacy of Indigenous leaders like Dr. Arthur C. Parker (Cattaraugus Seneca), who pushed for an official “American Indian Day”. In 1916, New York became the first state to declare an official American Indian Day. National recognition expanded in 1976 when President Gerald Ford designated Native American Awareness Week, followed by a landmark 1990 joint congressional resolution signed by President George H.W. Bush establishing the first National American Indian Heritage Month. Since 1994, annual presidential proclamations have recognized this month under names celebrating Native American and Alaska Native heritage.
As aviation safety professionals and Union members, our commitment to equity, social justice, and dignity in the workplace is rooted in learning, listening, and standing together in solidarity.
Learn More About Indigenous History & Heritage
Expand your understanding of Indigenous history, cultural resilience, and contemporary contributions through these educational platforms and community resources:
- Native American Heritage Month – Library of Congress: Explore exhibits, archival treasures, and primary source collections compiled by the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the Smithsonian Institution.
- National Museum of the American Indian: Discover educational programs, virtual collections, and tribal history through the Smithsonian Institution.
- Alaska Native Heritage Center: Deepen your knowledge of the living traditions, languages, and art representing Alaska’s 11 major cultural groups.
- U.S. Department of the Interior / Bureau of Indian Affairs: Access tribal governance records, history, and official national observances.
- National Archives and Records Administration: Research primary historical documents, treaties, and photographs through the Native Communities research portal.
- National Park Service: Explore the historic places, sacred landscapes, and tribal heritage preserved across our national park system.
- National Congress of American Indians: Learn about tribal sovereignty, policy initiatives, and Indigenous advocacy.
- Native Land Digital: View an interactive global mapping tool detailing Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages.
- Alaska Air Group Native Employee Network (NEN): Connect with company-sponsored employee resource programming via Team AAG (AAG SSO required).
Wear Your Native American Heritage Month AFA Pin
In 2021, the AFA Executive Board unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing Native American Heritage Month. As part of this initiative, a commemorative Native American Heritage Month pin was established for AFA Members to wear in solidarity throughout November. If you need a commemorative pin, please connect directly with your LEC Officers to find out how to get one.
Questions & Support
Our Human Rights & Equity Committee works year-round to advocate for an inclusive and respectful workplace for every Flight Attendant. If you have questions, wish to learn more, or want to become involved in committee initiatives, please contact your Local Human Rights & Equity Committee.
Comment Guidelines: AFA Alaska Social Media Guidelines and the AFA-CWA Mutual Respect Policy apply to all website posts and comments. Please take a moment to review and understand both before posting.