Elaine Loft, Staff Writer
November is Native American Heritage Month (NAHM), a celebration created on August 3, 1990, in a bill authorized by President George H.W. Bush. The Derryfield BIPOC Affinity Group gave a presentation in commemoration of NAHM at Community Meeting on November 18. BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, People of Color.
AJ Emond ’27 opened the presentation with a land recognition statement created by the Indigenous NH Collaborative Collective.
“This meeting takes place on N’dakinna, which is the traditional ancestral homeland of the Abenaki, Pennacook, and Wabanaki Peoples, past and present. We acknowledge and honor with gratitude the land and waterways and the alnobak (people) who have stewarded N’dakinna throughout the generations.” Emily Sanchez Torres ’27 went on to say, “We do not speak on behalf of Indigenous peoples; we stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples.”
Genesis Mendoza Alarcon ’27 explained that “indigenous” could mean a person of either America (north or south), but BIPOC was concentrating its presentation on indigenous North Americans. She went on to inform the audience that there are only about 4,000 Indigenous People remaining in New Hampshire, which amounts to 0.3% of the overall population.
Sparda Gurung ‘25 gave the history of the first people who inhabited what is now New Hampshire. They arrived about 11,000 years ago, and called themselves the Pennacook, Winnipesaukee, Pigwachet, Sokoki, Coosuk, and Ossipee, but are today known as the Abenaki. In the 1600s, due to diseases and displacement, their population severely declined. Today there are fewer than 1,000 Abenaki in New Hampshire.
Other students discussed Native American spiritual beliefs, tribal structures, agricultural practices, and cultural norms. Grace Howe ‘28 shared that she has family descendents in the Choctaw Nation, a tribe that originally inhabited present-day Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.
Briana Sanchez Camilo ‘25 closed the presentation.
“Celebrating Native American Heritage Month is important for honoring Indigenous resilience and recognizing their rich contributions to American society. It helps correct historical misconceptions and educates people on the true impacts of colonization and U.S. policies. This month also uplifts contemporary Native voices, and highlights ongoing issues, from land rights to healthcare disparities. By appreciating Native cultures, we promote respect for their languages, customs, and traditions. Ultimately, it ensures Indigenous heritage remains a vital and honored part of the national narrative.”
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, and Smithsonian Institution join in paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.
