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Solano County Library proudly celebrates Native American Heritage Month this November by sharing resources to read, watch, listen to and learn from that honor and pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.

Origins of Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month has been declared each year since 1994 but the origins of the month date back to 1915 when Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, who was the director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, N.Y persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day for the “First Americans.” This movement grew as the Congress of the American Indian Association declared an “American Indian Day” and several states joined in, declaring their own day. In 1990 the first Native American Heritage Month was declared and it became an annual celebration in 1994. Learn more about Native American Heritage Month.

History of Native Peoples in Solano

Before European settlement, Patwin Native Americans resided in Solano County for thousands of years. Some historians estimate it to be as long as 4,000 years, although no historical documentation of that time exists. The Suisunes likely hunted tule elk, grizzly bears and waterfowl, fished in the Suisun slough, and gathered plants for food and medicine. It is estimated that there were about 2,300 Patwins living in the area of Solano County in 1800, but the population soon plummeted to zero due to disease, forced moves to Spanish Missions and battles with Europeans. By 1823, there were no observed Native Americans left in the area, only abandoned and destroyed village sites.

Source: https://visitfairfield.com/rush-ranch-has-a-rich-history-in-its-land/

Sometimes, During a Summer Storm, Her Hair Ran with Rainbows 1992 By Kevin Peters Acrylic on canvas. L 76, W 61 cm Nez Perce National Historical Park, NEPE 34566
Sometimes, During a Summer Storm, Her Hair Ran with Rainbows 1992 by Kevin Peters
National Historical Park 

Events

Author Talk: Sara Calvosa Olson
Friday, November 1, 2PM-3PM

Dixon Library
Join us for an engaging author talk with Sara Calvosa Olson, a Bay Area food writer, editor, and expert on Native American cuisine. Sara will share her knowledge about foraging, gathering, and the significance of traditional Native American diets and recipes. This event, designed for teens and adults, is part of our systemwide celebration of Native American Heritage Month! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and explore the rich culinary traditions of Indigenous peoples! Registration is required.

1st Tuesday Kanopy Film Club: “Battle Over Bears Ears”
Tuesday, November 5, 6PM-7:30PM

Fairfield Civic Center Library
Fairfield Civic Center Library is highlighting a curated selection of films from the Kanopy streaming service, which is available to patrons free of charge with your Solano County Library card!
“Battle Over Bears Ears,” a one-hour documentary, examines Native American’s deep connections to place, and the vast cultural divides that are fueling the fight over how to best manage and protect a region in Southern Utah dense with archeological and cultural significance. At its heart, it’s a battle for homeland and sovereignty.

Indigenous Cooking
Friday, November 8, 2PM-3PM
Rio Vista Library
Sara will be giving a talk on foraging vs gathering and other aspects of food & the history of indigenous eating. She’ll also bring a snack that is based in indigenous cooking. Join us to find out more about how natives sourced their food and cooked and ate and what delicious traditions are carried on today.

Sara Calvosa Olson (Karuk) is a food writer and editor living in the Bay Area with her husband and two teenage sons. Her work dwells at the intersection of storytelling, Indigenous food systems, security, sovereignty, reconnection, and recipe development. Reflecting an interest in both culturally sound and faithfully updated techniques using traditional Indigenous plants and animals, her cooking inspires a new look at the oldest foods in California. Visit her website at AkihSara.com to find out more. Please register for this event.

Native Boogie and Beats
Saturday, November 9, 3PM-4PM
Fairfield Cordelia Library

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with Native Boogie Beats, an American Indian dance group performing traditional and modern powwow song and dance! You’ll also get to learn a bit about the history of Bay Area American Indians! All ages welcome. Free as always.

Zuni Water Jugs
Vallejo Springstowne Library
Saturday, November 9, 11AM-12PM
&
Saturday, November 9, 1PM-2PM
Vallejo John F. Kennedy Library
Celebrate Native American Heritage month!
The Zuni people have created pottery for centuries. Learn about the significance of their water jugs, and create a design of your own. Get hands-on and make your own miniature clay jar.
Rachel-Anne Palacios teaches cultural and folk arts education programming throughout the Bay Area for people of all ages.

Afternoon Adventure: Building a Patwin Dwelling
November 13, 3PM-5PM
Fairfield Civic Center Library
Children ages 5-10 and their families are invited to learn about Native American heritage with a read-a-loud from library staff of This Land by Ashley Fairbanks. After the story, kids and their grown-ups can engage in a family STEM activity and create a Native American Patwin dwelling to reflect and honor the Patwin people that lived in Solano County.
Registration is required for EACH child. Materials is set for each child and will be provided.

Olive Oil Tasting: Seka Hills
Friday, November 15, 2PM-3:30PM
Dixon Library
Brought to you by Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, this special olive oil tasting will feature products from Capay Valley’s Séka Hills Olive Mill & Tasting Room! This is an event geared toward adults & teens in celebration and recognition of Native American Heritage Month! Registration is required.

November Craft Session
Friday, November 15, 3PM-4:30PM
Suisun City Library
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
Kids, tweens, and teens can show off their creativity while making decorations!
Join us in painting ears of corn and foam pumpkins. All supplies provided (while supplies last).

Resources

Native American Heritage Month image of Native American Man

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, Hoopla has compiled a collection of great titles to check out. You can choose from their collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more! Check out now!

Social justice book kit : Native (Indigenous) Americans: reclaiming rights for kids.

The materials in this kit are designed to start conversations with children about Native (indigenous) Americans movement to empower their communities and have ownership of their stories, histories, lands, and cultures. We hope this kit shatters stereotypes and amplifies the lived experiences of Native (indigenous) Americans through the eyes of children.

Social justice book kit : Native (Indigenous) Americans: reclaiming rights.

This kit highlights the current realities and historical context of Native Americans in the U.S., addressing longstanding misinformation and harmful stereotypes. Indigenous lands were seized, communities were relocated to reservations, and children were sent to boarding schools. Tribes were decimated for land and resources, leaving Native Americans as less than 1% of today’s population. Recent events, like the Dakota Access Pipeline protests and the removal of racist mascots, have raised awareness of this marginalization. Institutions are now incorporating land acknowledgments, recognizing Indigenous lands and fostering a shift in the narrative about Native Americans.

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