UNM celebrates National Native American Heritage Month

Each November, The University of New Mexico celebrates National Native American Heritage Month. It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation.

Click on the red links below for more information. Scroll down to read about UNM groups, events, Native American Heritage Month history, Native American scholars, research, news and Native American organizations.

American Indian Student Services (AISS) was established during the 1980-1981 academic year to increase the recruitment & retention of Native students. Currently, American Indian Student Services provides a range of student support programming for American Indian students attending The University of New Mexico-Main Campus in an effort to ensure their academic achievement and assist in the development of personal, cultural, and social success. AISS is also a liaison for Native students attending local high schools and schools located on or near tribal reservations; tribal and community colleges; tribal governments; and tribal higher education programs and organizations that directly impact the recruitment and retention of American Indian students at UNM's central campus.

The Department of Native American Studies is an interdisciplinary academic department committed to Indigenous academic scholarship and research excellence. NAS offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Master of Arts (M.A.), a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), an Accelerated Online Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), and a minor degree at the University of New Mexico. The goal of NAS is excellence in educating all students and the public about the Native experience of Indigenous peoples with significant attention given our complex history and intercultural heritage of New Mexico and the United States. Another goal is to create a department that collaborates with Native communities and engages students in Nation building.

The Native Curriculum Partnership (NCP) is a University of New Mexico initiative led by the Center for Regional Studies, the Department of Native American Studies, and the Institute for American Indian Education. The Partnership collaborates with local tribal leaders, Native educators, and community consultants to develop Indigenous film and curriculum materials for K-12 students in New Mexico.

The Native Curriculum Partnership acknowledges the landmark Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico decision. It actively works towards advancing college and career-ready education opportunities for New Mexico's diverse student population. These efforts primarily benefit low-income students, students of color, English language learners, and students with disabilities.

The Institute for American Indian Research (IFAIR) promotes Native and Indigenous education, research, and service at UNM. Each academic year, we host and support many events to foster the study of Indigenous nation-building, community organizing, and Indigenous peoples. In 2022, IFAIR launched the Luci Tapahonso Distinguished Indigenous Speaker Series. Professor Emeritus Luci Tapahonso (Diné) began her literary career in the English Department at the University of New Mexico. Internationally acclaimed for her poetry and narratives about Diné life and culture, Tapahonso has been a role model and inspiration to countless Diné and Indigenous students. Given Tapahonso's significant impact to the Navajo Nation and UNM, it is only fitting that we named our new speaker series in her honor.

Originally created in 2004, the Institute for American Indian Education (IAIE) was created by Native education faculty in the College of Education in response to the overwhelming need to increase the number of Native American teachers and improve American Indian Education. In 2017, the work expanded to collaborate with other faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Native American Studies (NAS) as a planning effort to revitalize the institute.

The mission of the Institute for American Indian Education is to support community intergenerational well-being and educational outcomes of Indigenous Peoples by cultivating the quality of educational professionals through community engagement with Native Nations and collaborative partnerships with educational stakeholders." Learn more

he University of New Mexico Native American Budget and Policy Institute (UNM NABPI/NABPI) is a leading research and policy hub, serving New Mexico's 23 Pueblos, Nations, and Tribes. The work of UNM NABPI focuses on research, budget, and policy analysis for systemic change anchored in tribally determined priorities and needs.

Collaboration & Partnership: The Institute works with a wide variety of local, national, and international experts on tribal and indigenous health, sovereignty, justice, education and policy. Experts include community members and advocates along with Native American, First Nations, and international Indigenous scholars from across the globe. UNM NABPI's research and policy team engage in meaningful research, policy, and partnerships that drive change for rural and urban tribal communities across New Mexico and the nation.

Technical Assistance: As part of NABPI's commitment to forging a collaborative pathway to racial equity, the Institute is committed to engaging and supporting tribal leadership, and community advocates, through technical assistance, mentoring, research, and policy support.

Mentorship: UNM NABPI mentors students from a variety of disciplines and educational institutions across the United States and globally. If you are interested or know a student or community member who may be interested in an internship, or working with UNM NABPI, contact us at [email protected]."

The Tribal Remedy Framework (TRF) is a comprehensive plan for meeting the educational needs of Native students and their tribal communities. It was created collectively by tribal community members and Indigenous education experts, following a series of tribal Community Education Institutes and Pueblo Convocations. The Tribal Remedy Framework has been endorsed by the leadership of New Mexico's 23 Nations, Tribes and Pueblos.

To learn more about Native American Heritage Month and for a list of events, visit National Native American Heritage Month, November 2025.