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MESSAGE FOR NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION

On Thursday, November 3rd, 2025, at 6 p.m the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Commission for the City of Temecula (41000 Main Street, Temecula, CA 92590) is celebrating for the fifth year National Native American Heritage Month by holding a proclamation for the high school clubs that observe this month.The involved club leaders will receive a signed proclamation by the the City of Temecula Mayor and an opportunity to celebrate Native American Heritage Month, which is commemorated nationally in November.

November is National Native American Heritage Month, also known as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. This is a time to continue to celebrate the diverse cultures, histories, and traditions of the land we live. We are fortunate that Temecula resides in the original land and home of the Pechanga Band of Indians. We honor with gratitude the land itself and our Native communities.

Temecula Valley Unified School District is committed to supporting our Native scholars and we are grateful for our partnership with Pechanga. As culturally proficient educators, it is important that we incorporate the histories, cultures, and contributions of all cultures throughout the year, not only limited to one month. Native American Heritage Month is another opportunity to highlight Native Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our Nation and society. We encourage you to identify materials in your existing core curriculum that can be used to highlight Native American Heritage Month.

In closing, our EAI Team, Pechanga, Pala & the Great Oak High School Indigenous Peoples Club have designed supports for Native American Heritage Month. We appreciate our students as well as the community's voice and feedback. Below are the resources that you may find helpful:

i) TVUSD Customizable Slides for National Native American Heritage Month
* Must be signed into a TVUSD account to copy slides
ii) Best Practices for serving Native Youth

iii) Native Ways of Knowing Digital Micro-Courses

iv) California Indian Education for All SDCOE Calendar of Events

Here's what one of our very own TVUSD scholars has to say about the importance of Lacrosse in his daily life:

"Lacrosse is known as a Medicine Game in Haudenosaunee culture because it was gifted to the people, my ancestors, by the Creator. It is also medicine because it teaches important values like respect, honesty, truth, responsibility, teamwork, communication, and being fair. Before every game, I make sure to give thanks to the Creator for this medicine, and make sure I am playing hard and having fun!"

-Elijah P., Oneida/Cahuilla/Luiseño, Grade 7

Dogbane is a plant that is used to spin rope, wíicha. Wíicha is used for many things, such as tool making, housing, clothing, bows, etc. (pictured above).

Tribal member, Robert Villalobos, is using traditional clay, tó'xat, from Pechanga to form a clay pot, péshlish. It will later be fired and used for carrying water, storage, gathering, etc. (pictured above).

Wíiwish a traditional food made from acorns. Acorns are gathering, dried, cracked, peeled, ground into flour, leached, and cooked (pictured above).

The language by Pechanga People is called “Chamtéela”, meaning, “Our Language.” To hear how to pronounce a word below, simply click on any of the photos to hear the pronunciation.

For further book titles and reading suggestions please click on either photo for some lovely reads to honor Native American Heritage Month!