November is Native American Heritage month! “It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American and Alaska Native communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. This November and every month, we celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our Nation” (Bureau of Indian Affairs 2024).
Archaeological evidence indicates that the first indigenous peoples arrived in the Americas tens of thousands of years ago! The Meadowcroft Rockshelter in western Pennsylvania dates to 15,000-16,000 years ago, and footprints in White Sands National Park have been dated to 23,000 years ago. Humans entered the American continents in waves, and spread across what is now North and South America. As we conduct more archaeological surveys, we will learn just how early people came to America.
Though archaeologists mostly focus on the past, it’s important to listen to and celebrate Indigenous people in the present. Check out a previous blog post, “Native Voices: Still Here, Always Here” for a link to a PDF featuring books, podcasts, music, movies, TV, and art created by Indigenous Americans. A great way to support Indigenous people is by adding news focused on native Americans into your feed. Two great sites are: Indian Country Today: https://ictnews.org/ and Native News Online: https://nativenewsonline.net/.
If you want to be conscious about whose Indigenous land you live on or the Indigenous name of your home, https://native-land.ca/ is a great interactive website that maps Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages. It is run by Indigenous people, and fosters interconnection with Indigenous communities around the world.
Lastly, first-year graduate student Reid Haugen prepared this news section about the ongoing legal battle over the Dakota Access pipeline:
On Nov 5, 2025, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe filed an appeal challenging the continued construction and use of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) running from North Dakota to Illinois. The pipeline made international news in 2016 after it was revealed that it would pass one mile North of Standing Rock, threatening the tribe’s sole source of drinking water in Lake Oahe. The project also passes through sacred sites and burial grounds that were taken from the tribe. The project was halted in late 2016, but construction picked back up in 2017 and has continued ever since.
An initial challenge was filed by the tribe in Oct 2024 when the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continued to operate the pipeline for 5 years without the proper environmental impact statement. In this challenge, they argued that the pipeline violates federal laws including the Mineral Leasing Act, Clean Water Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. USACE has also failed to provide an emergency response plan in preparation for any oil spills.
Water protectors protesting the pipeline in 2016.
Original plans for the pipeline planned to cross the Missouri River 10 miles North of Bismark, North Dakota’s capital. This plan was rejected due to opposition from Bismark residents and concern for the city’s water supply. The route was then moved south to Standing Rock where similar opposition was ignored.
Protests in 2016 were met with violence outside Oceti Sakowin Camp in Cannon Ball, ND when local police and private security forces pepper-sprayed and unleashed guard dogs into crowds. Police used water cannons, rubber bullets, tear gas, and concussion grenades against protestors.
“We still need people to stand with us. People think Standing Rock ended when DAPL went online in 2017. For us, this never ended. This is our everyday fight to still protect the water.” – Doug Crow Ghost, Director of Water Resources at Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
Real change begins with individuals; thank you for reading.
Department of Anthropology, Geospatial and Earth Sciences at IUP