Here are eight top resources for Native American heritage education in New York, each offering unique materials, programs, and opportunities for learning:
1. National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian, NYC)
Located at the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, this museum offers permanent and temporary exhibitions, public programs (music, dance, films, symposia), and educational resources that explore the diversity and continuity of Native cultures in the Americas.
2. American Indian Community House (AICH)
A leading nonprofit serving Native Americans in New York City, AICH provides cultural programming, community support, and educational initiatives to foster understanding and respect for Native cultures.
3. Lenape Center
Focused on Lenape culture, this organization creates exhibitions, public art, symposia, music, theater, and educational workshops and curricula for K-12 and beyond.
4. Native Knowledge 360° (Smithsonian)
This initiative offers interactive teaching resources, primary and secondary sources, maps, images, and professional development for educators to transform how Native American history and culture are taught.
5. NYC Department of Education – Native American Heritage Month Resources
Provides lesson plans, reading lists, and events for students and educators to celebrate and learn about Native American heritage throughout November and the year.
6. New York State Education Department (NYSED) – Indigenous Education
Offers teacher resources, curriculum standards, and information on the Indigenous Culture and Language Studies Certificate and the New York State Seal of Biliteracy for students proficient in an Indigenous language.
7. Urban Indigenous Collective
This organization supports access to culturally tailored health, wellness, and educational services for Indigenous peoples in the New York City area, including community programming and advocacy.
8. PBS and Local Library Resources
PBS provides multimedia classroom resources on Indigenous culture and history, while New York’s public libraries offer booklists and digital collections for all ages during Native American Heritage Month.
These resources are accessible to educators, students, and the general public, offering a wide range of materials and experiences to deepen understanding of Native American heritage in New York.
Sources:
- https://www.nyc-arts.org/organizations/national-museum-of-the-american-indian-smithsonian-institution/
- https://www.nysed.gov/indigenous-education/teacher-resources
- https://aich.org
- https://brooklyn.org/article/6-local-indigenous-american-nonprofits-you-should-know/