10.31.22 – November Recognitions

Monday, October 31, 2022

November Recognitions

November is Native American Heritage Month. This month is also referred to as the American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The first time American Indian Day was declared was in May 1916. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as “National American Indian Heritage Month.”

Native Americans once had over 2,000 distinct languages. When language is lost, our speech, syntax, accent, and rhythm are important ways to hold onto that piece of our identity. It is also a way of keeping us close to our families, our heritage, and our communities.

When this part of the world was colonized, native tribes were forced to speak English, barred from their indigenous rituals, and attempts to strip them of their unique identities were made. The pride and sense of self of Indigenous Americans have allowed for their rich cultures to be preserved in the face of some of the darkest days in our history. Much was stolen in the centuries that followed colonization, and we take this month to pay special attention to the significant influences of Native Americans so that we never forget that their tremendous contributions came with a lot of sacrifices.

Native Americans have influenced our government, societal structures, and culture. Twenty-six of our fifty United States are named after Native Americans. Without their superior knowledge of the land and its resources, life, as we know it here, wouldn’t be possible. We are grateful for the contributions Indigenous Americans have made and continue to bring to this country, the world, and us all.

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All Saints’ Day, also known as All Hallows’ Day, or Hallowmas, is a Christian celebration in honor of all the saints from Christian history. In Western Christianity, it is observed on November 1 by the Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, the Lutheran Church, and other Protestant denominations.

All Souls’ Day, in Roman Catholicism, commemorates all the faithful departed, those baptized Christians who are believed to be in purgatory because they died with the guilt of lesser sins on their souls. It is observed on November 2.

Day of the Dead (Día de Los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink, and celebration. The holiday is celebrated each year from October 31 through November 2.

Samhain, the fire festival, which begins at nightfall on October 31 and continues until sunset on November 1 every year, is considered one of the most important festivals of the ancient Celtic religion. It marks the end of the harvest season. It is also time to celebrate the lives of those that have passed on in the last year.

The Marine Corps Birthday is observed on November 10. On this anniversary, we acknowledge the service and sacrifice of our service members. With Native American Heritage Month, we found that Native Americans have a high number of service members per capita, having served in the American military for hundreds of years. In World War I, they developed code with language by the Choctaw and Cherokee. During World War II, Native American Marines transmitted secret military messages using Navaho, Comanche, Hopi, and Meskwaki languages.

Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, is a special day to honor our military veterans. We thank all our veterans for their service and sacrifices for this country and our freedom. Appreciating our veterans involves thanks and finding ways we can help to give them the support they need and deserve.

November 16 is International Day for Tolerance. Acceptance, appreciation, respect, and harmony are the foundations of what makes peace a possibility. It is a reminder we all hold in our hands the power to make it our life choice to treat one another with respect and understanding.

On November 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance memorializes those killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. We recognize those who lost their lives through the actions of hate. We honor their lives by working to erase the stigmas, discrimination, and mistreatment by supporting and appreciating every person’s truth.

Thanksgiving is on Thursday, November 25. This holiday follows the tradition of commemorating the Pilgrims’ harvest feast in the autumn of 1621. The Thanksgiving celebration has lost much of its original religious significance in many American households. Today, it centers on cooking and sharing a bountiful meal with family and friends. Nearly ninety percent of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving, whether roasted, baked, or deep-fried. Traditional foods include stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Parades have also become an integral part of the holiday in cities and towns across the United States. New York City’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is the largest and most famous, attracting millions of spectators and television viewers. The fourth Thursday in November is also a “National Day of Mourning” to acknowledge the colonization, which brought much suffering to Native Americans.

November 27 through December 24 is Advent. The word advent comes from the Latin term adventus meaning “arrival” or “coming,” particularly the coming of something having great importance. Advent is a time of joy-filled, anticipatory celebration of the arrival of Jesus Christ and a preparatory period of repentance, meditation, and penance. The candles on an Advent wreath symbolize hope, love, joy, and peace. The candles are usually lit in that order.

Have a safe and healthy November! Please continue to contact us with any future topics you feel are important to you.

In Unity,

Chaddrian Calhoun and Rhonda Curtright
APFA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
[email protected]