RESOURCES for Native American Heritage Month of November

Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, and it is a time to recognize and celebrate the generations of Native Americans in the United States and advocate for Native American older adults who continue to face barriers erected from longstanding structural racism and ageism. As of 2020, 12% of American Indian and Alaskan Native peoples were aged 65 or older, and 10% of Native Hawaiians were aged 65 or older.

Disparities in healthcare are pervasive among American Indian and American Native (AIAN) communities, including higher rates of chronic conditions, higher mortality rates, and lower access to quality care.

Older AIAN adults in particular are living longer with more functional disabilities, but the inaccessibility of long-term care among AIAN and tribal communities still persists.

Factors—such as increasing wealth gaps, lack of engagement with tribal communities and AIAN families in cities, and historical trauma—contribute to an ongoing need to focus on the needs of low-income AIAN older adults.

Below are additional resources for advocates who work with tribal communities or AIAN older adults.

Resources for Advocates

National Center on Elder Abuse: Publications on Cultural IssuesNational Council on Aging: The Voices of American Indian, Alaskan Native, and Native Hawaiian EldersNational Indian Council on Aging: American Indian Health DisparitiesNational Indian Council on Aging: Culturally Competent HealthcareNational Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative: Online Interactive Education ModulesUS Aging Survey: Serving Tribal Elders Across the United StatesThe U.S. Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health:  Native American Heritage Month Blogs

Resources for Consumers

Coalition on Urban Indian Aging: Native Urban Elder Needs Assessment SurveyNational Resource Center on Native American Aging: National Service Locator