The City of Gaithersburg celebrates and honors Native American Heritage Month in November with an educational presentation and proclamation highlighting the culture, heritage, and achievements of our Native American neighbors.
Per the City of Gaithersburg: Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich cultural traditions and proud ancestry of Native Americans & recognize the vital contributions they have made and continue to make to the art, history, traditions & diversity of our society.
Native American Heritage Week (November 23 to 30) was first recognized in 1986 during the Reagan administration & was expanded to Native American Heritage Month in 1990 under President George H.W. Bush. American Indian Heritage Day is celebrated on the fourth Friday of November in the state of Maryland.
Native and indigenous people have significantly contributed to the rich fabric of history and culture we celebrate in our community. The Native American community makes up about 2.9 percent of the population in the United States, with the 2020 Census indicating that a little less than one percent of the City’s population identify themselves as American Indian or Native Alaskan, up from .5 percent in 2010.