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November 2026 Spotlight
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, a dedicated time to honor and celebrate the rich histories, vibrant cultures, enduring traditions, and profound contributions of American Indian people across the United States. In Minnesota, home to 11 federally recognized Tribal nations, it is also a time to recognize the strength of American Indian families and express appreciation for the home visitors, organizations, and community partners who support them every day.
This month’s spotlight gives thanks to our Tribal grantees, home visitors, and communities for their ongoing dedication to the families they serve.
Honoring the strength of families, culture, and community through home visiting
For American Indian families, culture, family, community, language, and intergenerational connections are foundational sources of strength. Home visiting honors these strengths by nurturing meaningful relationships that are deeply rooted in the sacred traditions, values, and experiences unique to each family.
Minnesota’s Tribal and Urban Indian home visitors bring invaluable community knowledge and trusted relationships to their work. Their ability to listen, build trust, and meet families where they are forms the very core of home visiting. The Minnesota Department of Health family home visiting team recognizes and appreciates the knowledge, dedication, and care that Tribal home visitors bring to our communities.
For all home visitors, Native American Heritage Month is an opportunity to pause, listen, learn, and appreciate the distinct strengths American Indian families and communities bring to our collective work. It is also a reminder that cultural responsiveness begins with relationships. Because each family has its own distinct customs and connections, families themselves remain our best guides in understanding what is meaningful to them.
While November gives us a formal opportunity to celebrate, our gratitude and recognition should extend throughout the year. We are grateful for the American Indian families who welcome home visitors into their lives and generously share their experiences and traditions. We are equally grateful for Tribal home visitors, Urban Indian organizations, elders, and community partners who protect and strengthen connections between families, cultures, communities, and services.
May we continue to listen, learn, deepen relationships, respect Tribal sovereignty, and honor the sacred cultures and traditions that enrich lives across Minnesota.