Honoring Native American Heritage Month: Nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest

The Murdock Trust joins communities around the United States in honoring Native American Heritage Month this November. The Pacific Northwest is home to many Indigenous groups, each with its own unique stories, languages, and traditions. While these vibrant traditions and stories of resilience are shared in classrooms and museums year-round, this month is an additional chance to focus our attention on these rich cultural legacies for a dedicated month.

Across our region, Native-led and Native-supported nonprofits are ensuring the stories of the original stewards of this land are not lost. They are advocating for equal opportunities in education and leadership for Indigenous people, ensuring tribes and Native villages are resourced and equipped to flourish, and creating opportunities for everyone to connect with the rich legacy of our region. Here is a selection of nonprofit partners doing this vital work:

In Portland, OR, Northwest Native Chamber (NWNC) is dedicated to working with all members of the community to transform the economic landscape for Native People in the Northwest. Through a variety of programming, NWNC provides no-cost wraparound technical assistance to businesses at nearly every stage of their growth. Their services are designed by and for Native entrepreneurs, working toward an economy where all members of the community can flourish. Engage with their vision and learn about upcoming events on their website.

In Great Falls, MT, the International Traditional Games Society (ITGS) works to respectfully identify, appreciate, and preserve the traditional games of the original people of the Americas. Founded in 1990 by cultural directors, tribal college presidents, and spiritual leaders, the nonprofit has since been dedicated to re-discovering the nearly lost heritage of many Indigenous games, ceremonies, and skills. Learn about some of these games and find more on ITGS’s website.

Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC) is a Tribal nonprofit organization serving Alaska Native and American Indian people in the Cook Inlet region of Southcentral Alaska. CITC serves more than 12,000 people annually through career development, addiction and recovery services, early learning, family and youth services, and much more. Learn more about these incredible services and CITC’s calendar of events on its website.

Founded in 1916, the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) is the largest cultural organization in the Inland Northwest and one of Washington’s five Smithsonian affiliates. It preserves and cultivates the heritage of the Inland Northwest people through collections, exhibitions, and programs that bring their stories to life, such as through their collection of Plateau Indian art and artifacts – the largest in the world. Plan your visit and learn more on the MAC’s website.

Seldovia Village Tribe (SVT) is located on the Southern Kenai Peninsula in Alaska along the scenic Kachemak Bay, only accessible by boat or small plane. SVT supports its tribal community on many levels, including healthcare support, transportation, emergency preparedness, traditional culture, the environment, elder care, and other community needs. Visit their website to learn about their vibrant calendar of events and program offerings for all ages.

The Murdock Trust is grateful to partner with these nonprofits and so many others in these vital efforts to ensure Native American communities are equipped to thrive, for the sake of our region’s history, and especially for the sake of its future.