November is National Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor and reflect on the histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples across what is now called North America. For Unitarian Universalists, this month is an invitation to deepen our commitment to justice, respect, and appreciation for Native communities who have endured and resisted centuries of displacement, erasure, and marginalization. As we honor Indigenous history, we also have the opportunity to seek right relationship, broaden our understanding, and ask what true solidarity can mean.

Unitarian Universalism calls us to “seek truth in love” and to grapple with historical truths that have often gone unspoken or overlooked. Colonial histories have traditionally celebrated narratives of “discovery” and “settlement” that omit the violent impacts of colonialism on Indigenous nations and people. National Native American Heritage Month calls us to confront these histories with courage, acknowledging the pain and resilience of Native peoples and considering the ethical implications for us as inheritors of these lands. In learning these truths, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of the enduring legacy of colonization and our role in creating a more just and inclusive society.

For Indigenous peoples, culture is not only a heritage to be celebrated but also a lived, evolving reality. This month is an opportunity to learn about and support Indigenous cultural practices and rights, including the preservation of language, ceremony, and land stewardship. Unitarian Universalists have long held the principle of “respect for the interdependent web of all existence,” which aligns with Indigenous worldviews that honor all beings, human and nonhuman, as interconnected. We can show respect by advocating for policies that uphold Indigenous rights to cultural sovereignty and support Indigenous-led conservation efforts to protect their ancestral lands.

As Unitarian Universalists, we celebrate National Native American Heritage Month as a time to reflect, honor, and to take action. May we deepen our awareness, strengthen our commitment to justice, and stand in solidarity with Native communities not only in November but all year round. We honor the enduring resilience and contributions of Indigenous peoples and commit ourselves to working toward a future of respect, equity, and shared humanity.

May this month remind us of the shared path toward a just and compassionate world, one in
which we walk together in unity and respect.