This November, Fairfax County Public Library is honoring the history, traditions and contributions of the United States’ indigenous peoples, including Native Americans and Alaskan Natives. According to the Culture Heritage of Fairfax County Residents Research Guide on the Library’s website:
“Archaeological evidence shows that people have been living in what is now Virginia as far back as 16-22,000 years ago.” These tribes contributed significantly to the newcomers’ ability to survive those first few years upon their arrival to present-day Virginia. Over the four hundred years since the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia’s native people have contributed greatly to the vitality of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the nation, and continue to do so.”
To recognize these communities, as well as the other indigenous groups who originally inhabited the land that is now the U.S., our branches will be hosting educational presentations, dance performances, storytimes, crafts and more.
Check out a small sample of what we have planned at a library near you:
*Please note that dates/times of the following events are subject to change. Check the event listing for the latest information.
Explore Native American Life in Fairfax County – Multiple Branches – Multiple Dates
Discover what life may have been like for Eastern Woodland Indians and the relationship they had with the land that is now Fairfax County. Explore replica artifacts, listen to a story from Native American lore, try out corn grinding, play a corn dart game and more.
- Richard Byrd Library – November 2
- Chantilly Regional Library – November 3
- Great Falls Library – November 9
- Thomas Jefferson Library – November 16
“N. Scott Momaday: Words from a Bear” – Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library – November 4
Screen the documentary “N. Scott Momaday: Words from a Bear,” a biographical documentary about the first Native American to win the Pulitzer Prize in Literature, which Momaday won in 1969 for his novel, House of Dawn.
Create Your Own Sand Painting – Culmore (Woodrow Wilson) Library – November 21
Learn about Navajo Nation and their tradition of creating sand art for artistic and medicinal purposes, then create one of your own.
Native American Heritage Celebration – Multiple Branches – November 23 and 24
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with an authentic cultural presentation and dance demonstration by the Eastern Woodland Revitalization. Performances include the Harvest Dance, the Eastern Blanket Dance and a craft for kids.
Native American Heritage Month Read Aloud & Craft – Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library – November 25
Enjoy a storytime featuring Native American tales, followed by a fun and educational activity where kids can learn the history of totem poles and create their own.
For a complete list of Native American Heritage-related events, visit bit.ly/FCPL_NativeAmericanHeritage.
You can also celebrate by participating in our Native American Heritage Month Genre Bingo Challenge on Beanstack! Learn more about the challenge and sign up to participate here.