Native American Heritage Month

Published on November 01, 2025

Diverse indigenous communities have been an integral part of the American story for thousands of years. Each November, Native American Heritage Month is recognized in Lakewood and across the country as a time to honor the culture, traditions and contributions of our nation’s original inhabitants and their descendants.

According to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, there are 574 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and villages, each with its unique culture, traditions and languages, along with their own distinct histories and governance systems. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, 3.7 million people identified solely as Native American, while nearly 9.7 million identified as Native American in combination with another race, making up about 3% of the total U.S. population.

The City of Lakewood proudly joins communities nationwide in celebrating Native Americans and recognizing the strength and perseverance of those who have faced centuries of oppression and marginalization. By celebrating Native American heritage, language, art and traditions, we help contribute to preserving and revitalizing these essential elements of our collective American story.

The City of Lakewood has issued a proclamation(PDF, 608KB) in recognition of Native American Heritage Month (see side panel).  

Resources to learn more

See a special Lakewood CityTV video that highlights the Native American people who lived in the Lakewood-Long Beach area, including the Tongva people. 

Native American Festival 2017 from CityTVLakewoodCA on Vimeo.

Los Angeles County Library

Explore the Los Angeles County Library’s website for Native American Heritage Month.

Check the Lakewood library webpages for activities and resources you can read, watch and participate in:

Angelo Iacaboni Library

George Nye Jr. Library

Native American Heritage Month federal resources

NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.gov is a comprehensive portal provided by the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, Smithsonian Institution and other federal institutions that pays tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.

A multitude of resources await, filled with audio, video, exhibits, collections and discussions about the indigenous peoples of the United States.