Indigenous Peoples’ Heritage Month | Berkeley Unified School District

The Berkeley Unified School District celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Heritage Month to commemorate the histories, traditions, and important contributions of the many diverse Indigenous cultures to our nation.

On November 19, 2020, the Board of Education adopted a resolution to annualy recognize the month of November as Indigenous Peoples’ Heritage Month, and resolved BUSD schools promote instructional activities and celebrations honoring the history, contemporary issues, and culture of the Indigenous Peopls of the Americas.

Read the full resolution here.

Guides for Families in English and Spanish

These guides are available to support families in honoring and celebrating the heritage of Indigenous Peoples. Included are suggestions of songs, videos, and volunteer activities to Listen, Learn, Lift Up, and Love!

English Guide |

This family guide for celebrating Indigenour People's Heritage can be read in a PDF by clicking on the link above this graphic.

Spanish Guide

This family guide for celebrating Indigenour People's Heritage can be read in a PDF by clicking on the link above this graphic.

Teaching Resources

TK-8 Teaching Resources

This diverse collection of resources was compiled by Joemy Ito-Gates, BUSD’s Ethnic Studies TSA in collaboration with the Professional Development Team.

Rethinking Thanksgiving

This TK-8 Teaching Guide provides educators with lessons, teaching tips, and other resources to teach about the Thanksgiving holiday.

Events & Celebrations

Events Around the Bay

11.6 | Napa Art Pop Up | Suscol Intertribal Council | Napa

11.7 | Indigenous Red Market: Foods, Crafts, Performances | Oakland

11.13 | American Indian Heritage Celebration | Santa Clara County Fairgrounds

11.26 | Native American Heritage Day | Santa Rosa

Virtual Events

12.2 | Author Event with Cynthis Leitich Smith (Sisters of the Neversea) | More Information

The Smithsonian, National Archives, and Library of Congress are hosting several virtual events this month for kids and families to learn and celebrate together, such as an online exhibition and a Native Cinema Showcase.

Learn more here.

Get Involved and Learn More

Native American Health Center

Intertribal Friendship House | Oakland

American Indian Cultural Center | San Francisco

American Indian Child Resource Center | Bay Area

Native American Student Development (NASD) | UC Berkeley

Native American Cultural Center | Stanford University

Sogorea Te’ Land Trust

Must submit three proofs, one from each of the groups listed below.

All Proofs must be current originals (issued within the last 2 months) imprinted with the name and current Berkeley residential address of the parent/legal guardian. A student can have only one residency for purposes of establishing residency and must be living in Berkeley when submitting forms.

Only personal accounts will be accepted. No care of, DBA or Business accounts.

Group A:

Submit one of the following. Must provide all pages.

Rental property contract or lease, and proof of payment dated within 45 days
Renter or homeowner insurance policy for the current year (no bill, declarations or policy page only)
Current property tax statement
Property deed dated within the last 12 months

Group B: Utility bill

Submit one of the following. Must provide entire bill.

PG&E
Landline phone (non-cellular)
EBMUD
Internet
Cable

Group C:

Submit one of the following. Must provide all pages, cannot be bill.

Current bank statement (checking or savings only)
Action letter from Alameda County Social Services Department
Recent paycheck stub or letter from employer on official company letterhead
Both valid automobile registration and valid automobile insurance
Voter notification or ballot for the most recent past or upcoming election