November Diversity Newsletter

MCMILLAN PTA • DIVERSITY & INCLUSIVITY

🌾 Celebrating Native American Heritage Month at McMillan!

November 2026

November is Native American Heritage Month! This month, we honor and celebrate the rich histories, vibrant cultures, traditions, and contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples, both past and present.

It's a wonderful opportunity for our McMillan community to learn about the diversity of Native American nations, celebrate Indigenous voices, and recognize the important contributions Native peoples continue to make today.

Whether you're reading a book together, exploring a museum, enjoying an online storytime, or attending a local celebration, there are many meaningful ways to learn and connect as a family!

We've gathered some wonderful resources, books, and local events to help your family explore and celebrate throughout November!

📚 Learn & Explore Together

Discover Native American histories, cultures, and stories with these family-friendly educational resources.

🌟 Waterford.org: Native American Heritage Month Activities for Schools
Explore engaging activities and learning ideas that introduce children to Native American histories, cultures, and traditions.

📖 Scholastic: 27 Fiction Books That Celebrate Native American Heritage
Find your next family read-aloud! This collection of children's books highlights Native American characters, families, and experiences.

🎧 Storytime Online: Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
Gather around for a special storytime celebrating the connections between food, family, culture, and identity.

📺 PBS Utah: Native American & Alaska Native Heritage Collection
Enjoy educational videos and programming that highlight Indigenous histories, experiences, and perspectives.

🤝 Connect with Our Local Native American Community

Utah is home to vibrant Native American communities and organizations. Explore these local resources to learn more!

🤝 Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake
Learn about this local organization and its cultural, educational, social, and health programs supporting Native American communities.

🥁 Utah Pow Wow Calendar
Explore upcoming powwows and cultural gatherings throughout Utah. These events offer opportunities to learn about Native traditions and celebrate community. Be sure to check event details to learn which gatherings welcome the public.

🎓 University of Utah Native Excellence: Native American Heritage Month
Discover educational programs, community events, and opportunities celebrating Native American heritage, leadership, and achievements.

🎉 Upcoming Community Celebrations

Looking for a fun and meaningful family outing? Check out these local events celebrating Native American heritage!

🥁 Rhythmic Traditions
Thursday, November 12 | 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Utah Cultural Celebration Center
1355 W 3100 S, West Valley City, UT 84119

Bring the family together for an evening of cultural celebration and community connection.

🏛️ Natural History Museum of Utah: Native American Heritage Month Celebration
Sunday, November 15 | 11:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Natural History Museum of Utah
301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Explore Native American histories, cultures, and contemporary communities through this special museum celebration.

🎨 Harvest Arts Market
Saturday & Sunday, November 21–22 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake
120 W 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84115

Celebrate Native creativity and support Indigenous artists and makers! Explore artwork, handmade goods, and the talents of local Native artisans.

🪶 Annual UVU Powwow: Celebrating Native American Community
November 21–22 | Times to be confirmed
📍 UCCU Center, Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah

Experience a gathering celebrating Native American culture, traditions, and community through a university-hosted powwow.

Please confirm event dates, times, admission details, and public attendance information with organizers before visiting.

📖 Books Available at Murray Library

One of the simplest ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month is by reading together! Visit Murray Library and explore these wonderful books featuring Native American stories, families, and perspectives.

🍞 Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story
Written by Kevin Noble Maillard | Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal
A heartwarming picture book celebrating family, identity, and tradition through the making of fry bread. A wonderful read-aloud for younger children!

💧 We Are Water Protectors
Written by Carole Lindstrom | Illustrated by Michaela Goade
Inspired by Indigenous-led movements to protect water, this beautifully illustrated story celebrates courage, community, and the importance of caring for our Earth.

🐕 Rez Dogs
Written by Joseph Bruchac
A moving novel in verse about a young Wabanaki girl staying with her grandparents during the pandemic. Through family stories and a special dog, she discovers resilience, belonging, and the strength of her heritage. A great choice for older elementary readers!

Book availability may vary. Check with Murray Library for current copies.

❤️ Simple Ways Your Family Can Celebrate

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month can be as simple as sharing a story or starting a conversation at home!

  • 📚 Read together: Choose a book by a Native American author and talk about what you learned.
  • 🎧 Enjoy storytime: Watch an online read-aloud or explore educational videos as a family.
  • 🎨 Explore and discover: Visit a museum, attend a local celebration, or learn about the Native nations of Utah.
  • 💬 Start a conversation: Ask your child what they know about Native American cultures and what they'd like to learn.
  • ❤️ Celebrate our differences: Talk about how learning from one another makes our school a more welcoming and inclusive place.

🌈 Celebrating Our McMillan Community

At McMillan, we believe that the many cultures, traditions, and experiences within our community make us stronger. Native American Heritage Month is a meaningful reminder of the importance of listening, learning, and appreciating the stories and contributions of others.

We invite all McMillan families to explore, learn, and celebrate with us this November!

Together, we can inspire curiosity, encourage kindness, and help our children develop a deeper appreciation for the diverse cultures and communities that make our world so special.

With appreciation,
McMillan PTA 💙

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