Native American Heritage Month | Periscope

Photo: Native American child dressed in traditional tribal attire

November is Native American Heritage Month. 

This month's Periscope takes a look at the national and local importance of Native American heritage. We celebrate the first South Carolinians and the first Americans. The observation began as "American Indian Day" in 1915. Prior to that, Red Fox James, a Blackfeet Indian, rode horseback across the United States seeking support for the event. His 4,000 mile trip covered 24 states. Native American Heritage Month is now an official observation.

Chapter 3: The Snowbird Cherokee | Periscope
Chapter 3: The Snowbird Cherokee | Periscope
Episode 7

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Only a few Cherokee escaped the Indian Removal Act. Those who remained found safe hiding places in the remote mountains and valleys of Appalachia. Today, the Snowbird community is home to many...
The Jingle Dress Dance | Periscope
The Jingle Dress Dance | Periscope
Episode 7

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The Jingle Dress Dance is a dance for girls and women. The regalia for the Jingle Dress dance features a skirt adorned with small bells. The bells jingle loudly to the beat of the dances. This dance...
Snowbird Cherokee Community | Periscope
Snowbird Cherokee Community | Periscope
Episode 8

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The Snowbird Cherokee community looks like a typical American community in many ways. There are schools, churches, cars and roads. The Snowbird Cherokee play on local football teams and Snowbird youth...
The Grass Dance | Periscope
The Grass Dance | Periscope
Episode 8

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The Grass Dance originated with northern tribes, and was eventually passed down to southern tribes. It gets its name from the tradition of tying sweetgrass to the belts of the dancers. Today, the...
Arts, Crafts and Food! Fry Bread | Periscope
Arts, Crafts and Food! Fry Bread | Periscope
Episode 9

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Arts, Crafts and Food! Have you ever tasted fry bread or made a dreamcatcher? Powwows are great places to experience Native American crafts, clothing and food. Fry bread can be found at most powwows...
Tradition and The Snowbird | Periscope
Tradition and The Snowbird | Periscope
Episode 9

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Over 500 Cherokee now live on tribal lands that make up the Snowbird Community. Tribal lands, or reservations, are protected for use by Native Americans. The Snowbird Cherokee have kept much of their...
Children Learn Cherokee Language | Periscope
Children Learn Cherokee Language | Periscope
Episode 10

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In Snowbird, some children learn the Cherokee language before they learn English. There are festivals to celebrate Cherokee ancestors and elders and the changing of seasons. Traditional arts, dance...
Dreamcatcher | Periscope
Dreamcatcher | Periscope
Episode 10

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We saw many Native American crafts at the powwow. Jewelry, clothing, and crafts such as "dreamcatchers" were popular items. The origin of the dreamcatcher is hard to determine. Different tribes...
Tradition: Gadugi | Periscope
Tradition: Gadugi | Periscope
Episode 11

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Tradition: Gadugi (ga-doo-gee) The word gadugi means "working together." Originally, the gadugi were a group of people in a Cherokee community who helped others in a time of need. The gadugi planted...