November is American Indian Heritage Month
Each November since 1999 is recognized as American Indian Heritage Month after the designation was first authorized by President George H.W. Bush. The month is dedicated to recognizing the contributions of Native Americans to the United States and acknowledging the sacrifices they have made.
Judith "Laughing Owl" Boggess from the Association of Native Americans said one way to celebrate the months is to listen to Native American stories. Boggess told a classic tale about a race between a bear and a frog.
"Agwali, the bear, was big and the animals in the woods were afraid of him," she said. "So they said 'We've got to get rid of him somehow' and a little frog said, 'I will.' So they all agreed to have a race and if the frog, who painted his nose red for identification won, the bear would leave. The frog won," she said. "The bear couldn't believe he lost but left. How did the frog win? The little frog said, 'Thank you, cousins,' and a bunch of frogs jumped out of the water with little red noses," she said laughingly.
Boggess, who is a member of the Red Feather Drummers, will be performing and teaching on November 10th at the Arts Society of Kingston on Broadway at 2 p.m.