Quick answer: High school Native American Heritage Month learning can move beyond introductory crafts and facts into primary-source analysis, Tribal sovereignty, treaties, contemporary Native life, media representation, literature, language revitalization and Indigenous-led discussion.
12 high school activities
- Research one Tribal Nation using that Nation’s own public resources.
- Analyze a treaty as a primary source and study its continuing significance.
- Investigate Native sovereignty and the relationship between Tribal, state and federal governments.
- Study Native American Code Talkers through primary sources and Native perspectives.
- Compare textbook coverage of a historical event with Native-created scholarship or museum resources.
- Analyze stereotypes in film, sports, advertising or social media.
- Read contemporary Native literature and evaluate who is telling the story.
- Study Indigenous language revitalization and why language carries culture and knowledge.
- Research contemporary Native entrepreneurs, artists, educators, scientists or political leaders.
- Learn about powwow culture as a living contemporary gathering.
- Host an Indigenous speaker or cultural presenter and prepare student questions in advance.
- Create a year-round research or learning commitment rather than ending the topic on November 30.
Primary-source learning
Smithsonian Native Knowledge 360° includes middle- and high-school resources using maps, photographs, documents, oral histories and other primary and secondary sources. Its Native Words, Native Warriors digital resource, for example, examines Native American service members who used Native languages to transmit coded military messages during the world wars.
Bring an Indigenous presenter into the conversation
Older students can engage directly with contemporary Indigenous identity, culture, media, language, powwow traditions and other topics through a moderated live session.
Explore virtual Indigenous presentations for schools →
See the broader school activities guide and Native American Heritage Month 2026 hub.
Planning a Native American Heritage Month program?
Powwow Times offers Indigenous-led virtual and in-person programs for schools, universities, workplaces and institutions. See presentation options and request a proposal →
Explore the complete Native American Heritage Month 2026 resource hub →
