October 30, 2024

Contact: pio@library.lacounty.gov

LA County Library Celebrates Native American Heritage Month with Immersive Storytelling, Workshops, and Author Talks in November

Los Angeles County, CA – LA County Library is proud to celebrate Native American Heritage Month this November with a variety of events, programs, and resources that honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Native American communities. Throughout the month, the community is invited to participate in engaging events that reflect the resilience, creativity, and diverse traditions of Native peoples across the United States.

“Native American Heritage Month gives us the opportunity to highlight and honor the extraordinary contributions of Native American communities, both past and present,” said Skye Patrick, County Librarian and CEO. “Through our programs, we hope to foster understanding, appreciation, and awareness of Native cultures.”

Highlighted Programs & Resources:

• Heart & Hand Book Talk with Dina Gilio-Whitaker on Zoom – Thursday, November 7 at 6 pm: Join County Librarian & CEO Skye Patrick and Dina Gilio-Whitaker, author of “All the Real Indians Died Off” And 20 Other Myths About Native Americans and As Long as Grass Grows, for an insightful discussion on Native American activism and environmental justice. A member of the Colville Confederated Tribes and lecturer at California State University San Marcos, Dina’s work explores the intersection of environmentalism, Native women’s leadership, and decolonization. She has also contributed as a journalist and film advisor on projects like Raoul Peck’s Peabody Award-winning Exterminate All the Brutes.
• Music of the Gabrielenos at Huntington Park Library – Friday, November 8 at 4 pm: Join us for an interactive and informative display and demonstration of Gabrieleno music with Gabrieleno Tongva musician Lazaro Arvizu, Jr. Learn how various instruments are made and even try them out!
• Afro-Indigenous History of the United States on Zoom – Wednesday, November 20 at 6 pm: This talk will discuss the historical relationship between African Americans and Native Americans in the United States, with a specific focus on their shared activism during the Black and Red Power movements. Speaker Kyle T. Mays is an Afro-Indigenous (Saginaw Chippewa) scholar of urban studies, Afro-Indigenous history, and contemporary popular culture. He is a Professor of African American Studies, American Indian Studies, and History at UCLA. He is the author of several books, including An Afro-Indigenous History of the United States and Rethinking the Red Power Movement with Sam Hitchmough.
• Cultural Workshops at Libraries – Throughout November: All community members are invited to immerse themselves in interactive workshops showcasing the beauty and craftsmanship of Native American culture through art, beadwork, music, dance, and storytelling sessions. These hands-on experiences offer unique opportunities to explore the deep cultural significance behind these artistic practices while learning from skilled artisans and performers, and celebrating the timeless stories that have preserved the values and history of Native communities.
• In addition to these programs, the Library’s American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) located at Huntington Park Library will be a key resource throughout Native American Heritage Month. Established in 1979, the AIRC is home to the largest public library collection of materials about and for American Indians in the US. The center also serves as an information hub, providing up-to-date announcements of local, regional, and national events, classes, and conferences covering a broad range of topics including health, education, legal and economic issues, politics, and culture. Throughout November, the AIRC will share weekly “Book Talks,” featuring items in its collection.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit LA County Library’s Native American Heritage Month webpage.

About LA County Library
LA County Library belongs to our communities and serves as a portal to learn, grow, and succeed. Founded in 1912, it is one of the largest and most innovative library systems in the US, and was awarded the nation’s highest honor—the National Medal for Museum and Library Service—in 2023. Dedicated to reducing barriers and increasing equitable access for all through culturally responsive and dynamic collections, programs, and services, LA County Library serves 3.4 million residents across 3,000 square miles through its 86 libraries and 15-vehicle mobile fleet, including Bookmobiles, MākMō maker mobiles, Reading Machines, and outreach vehicles. To learn more, visit LACountyLibrary.org and follow @LACountyLibrary on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube.