November is Native American Heritage Month, a month-long celebration of the rich traditions, history and cultures of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Oral traditions, historical records and linguistic studies show that the Piscataway, Patuxent, Mattapanient (Mattaponi), Nacotchtank (Anacostan), and Susquehannock peoples once lived in the region of what is now known as Anne Arundel County.
Native peoples have shaped this land for thousands of years, contributing to our shared knowledge of art, agriculture, language, science and environmental care. Despite centuries of displacement and cultural suppression, their communities remain vibrant and resilient, carrying forward languages, ceremonies and stories that continue to thrive today. Taking time to explore these histories helps us understand the deep and lasting influence of Indigenous knowledge and traditions.
Anne Arundel County Public Library honors Native American Heritage Month this November by sharing books to read, providing resources to learn from and hosting events that celebrate the important contributions of Native Americans and their diverse heritage.
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month at your local library by attending fun, educational events!
- Explore the history of the Piscataway, a local tribe that called much of what is now Anne Arundel County home, and enjoy a performance by Piscataway Nation Singers & Dancers.
- Uncover the origins of the Navajo Code Talkers and how the U.S. military used the unique languages of Native Americans to send secure voice communications in both World Wars. Presented by the National Cryptologic Museum.
- Learn the science of Native Life with hands-on activities provided by educators from Jefferson Patterson Park. Find out how a wigwam stands up, how fletching helps arrows fly, how Native American people made paint and more!
- Step into the world of Native American Dance with Miss Chief Rocka as she performs traditional & storytelling dances steeped in cultural richness and rhythmic exploration.
- Discover how Native Americans of Maryland made use of local natural resources through an interactive presentation investigating friction fire making methods, communication techniques and more. Presented by the Irvine Nature Center.
- Experience stories from the diverse cultures of Native America shared by Dovie Thomason, Native storyteller.
Visit our Native American Heritage Month events calendar for a complete list of programs.
Enrich your knowledge of Native American history and cultures using the library’s digital resources!
- Explore Native Americans in the context of American history using our U.S. History databases.
- Learn about Native American rights, social issues and cultural differences using our Diversity Studies database.
- Stream films featuring Native American actors and culture using Kanopy.
- Discover the history of local Native and Indigenous Peoples and learn how their heritage influences contemporary life in Maryland using Guide to Indigenous Maryland.
- Investigate local archaeological discoveries and the deep local history of Indigenous Peoples through the Native American Archaeology in Anne Arundel County Heritage Toolbox.
- View our Land Acknowledgement Statement which formally recognizes the historical and continuing connection between all Indigenous People.
Choose your next read from our lists of books by Native American authors!
- Check out our booklists for children, teens and adults (fiction and nonfiction).
- Download books by Native American authors in eBook and eAudiobook formats to enjoy instantly using Overdrive/Libby.
- Use NoveList’s “Advanced Search” feature to generate a list of books by Indigenous authors.
Published November 1, 2025