Heritage & History Month Resources

Explore GBH’s robust learning platform of film, food, broadcasting and learning media
Feed your soul with a good book via Boston Public Library’s book list with options from kids to adult
Engage in one of the many great events in Boston to show your support

READING LIST

House of Sticks – Ly Tran

Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now – Jeff Yang, Phil Yu and Philip Wang

Asian American Dreams – Helen Zia

Minor Feelings – Cathy Park Hong

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous – Ocean Vuong

Joy Luck Club – Amy Tan

Beautiful Country – Qian Julie Wang

Last Night At The Telegraph Club – Malinda Lo

“The Mountains Sing” – Que Mai Nguyen Phan

Somewhere Inside – Lisa and Laura Ling

ARTICLES

Angry Asian Man: http://blog.angryasianman.com/

What A Bad Day Means to Me – Ly Tran: https://www.vogue.com/article/ly-tran-bad-day

Mochi Magazine: https://www.mochimag.com/

WEBSITE

https://www.asianpacificheritage.gov/

Historically, Black History and the contributions of Black People in the US have not been included in school curriculum. Black History month was created in 1976 to focus national attention on the many contributions of Black Americans to United States history and has been celebrated ever since.

How do we celebrate?

There are so many ways to celebrate Black history, whether that’s watching a new show, reading a new book and discussing it with friends, or even attending a local event highlighting the impact of the African Diaspora in Boston! While reflecting on the many accomplishments of Black individuals in industries like science and technology, literature, economics, music, politics and so much more, it’s important to pay attention to these figures year round and highlight their stories and their successes, while not ignoring the struggles they faced. How will you celebrate?

Books

Boston Public Library released a book list to share with children, teens, and adults to celebrate Black History

https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/2077606909_bostonpl_blackisbooklist/2244297689_bostonpl_black_is_2023_75_books_for_children,_teens,_adults

Other notable titles you might want to check out include:

Beloved by Tony Morrison

The Color Purple by Alice Walker (Now a Major Motion Picture)

Americanah by Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

Shows and Movies

Atlanta

Underground

Insecure

Soul

Judas and the Black Messiah

The 1917 Project

Dear White People

Documentaries

Summer of Soul

Tony Morrison: Black Matters

What Happened, Miss Simone?

I Am Not Your Negro

Events

The Museum of Science is hosting a two day event celebrating Black History Month. There will be speakers, performances, and community groups from the Boston area in the Museum on February 10 and 11.

Big Sister Boston is hosting a Big For a Day activity this weekend at the Museum!

https://www.mos.org/public-events/black-history-month

Black Owned Business Pop Up in Harvard Square on Friday Feb 9th and Saturday February 10th

https://patch.com/massachusetts/cambridge/calendar/event/20240209/46ecd515-2d8b-47e1-89bf-9d2a31cd6594/black-history-month-black-business-pop-up-harvard-square-free

Black Owned Restaurants

https://bostonblackrestaurants.com/

Savvor Restaurant and Lounge

M&M’s BBQ

Country Kitchen

Flames Caribbean Restaurant

JP Roti Shop

Island Style Jamaican Restaurant

Fasika Restaurant

The Coast Café

Neighborhood Kitchen

Wally’s Café & Jazz Club

BLACK HISTORY BOSTON

Boston Black History Focused on Women & Youth

Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts: https://bwht.org/elma-lewis/

Women of education equality movement: https://medium.com/black-feminist-thought-2016/a-black-feminist-reimagining-of-boston-s-struggle-for-educational-equity-2d569979dcbb

Melnea Cass: https://blackwomenatbuandboston.wordpress.com/tag/melnea-cass/

Ruth Batson: https://www.boston.gov/news/black-history-boston-ruth-batson

Interview w/ Ruth Batson: http://digital.wustl.edu/e/eii/eiiweb/bat5427.0911.011ruthbatson.html

1970s school desegregation and busing: https://www.globalblackhistory.com/forgotten-history-desegregation-boston-public-schools/

and https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/03/the-boston-busing-crisis-was-never-intended-to-work/474264/

Combahee River Collective: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/combahee-river-collective-1974-1980/ and https://www.boston.gov/news/black-history-boston-combahee-river-collective

Boston Coalition of Black Women, Inc.: https://repository.library.northeastern.edu/collections/neu:cj82qn781

HISPANIC & LATINX HERITAGE TRIVIA

Celebrates the contributions, history, and traditions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, South, and Central America

It is celebrated on September 15th since its the anniversary for Latin American countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on September 16th and September 18th respectively

Columbus Day or Día de la Raza falls on October 12th

Hispanic heritage week started to be celebrated in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson and was lengthened to 30 days under President Ronald Reagan in 1988.

As of 2022, 18% of the population in the US is Hispanic or Latinx meaning there are 60 million Hispanic or Latinx people in the US

Mexicans compromised 62% of the population of Hispanic and Latinx people in the US, followed by Puerto Ricans and Cubans

Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAXspOswDSI

READING LIST

100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Violeta by Isabel Allende

Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza

The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende

The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo

How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents by Julia Alvarez

The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo

Finding Latinx: In search of the voices redefining Latino identity by Paola Ramos

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

Child of the Dark by Maria Carolina de Jesus

Ficciones by Jorge Luis Borges

TV & MOVIES

Selena: the Series

Jane the Virgin

One Day at a Time

Rebelde

La Casa de las Flores

Gentefied

Ugly Betty

Encanto

Coco

The Book of Life

Spanglish

Frida

The Edge of Democracy

Aquarius

Queer Eye: Brazil

BOSTON RESTAURANTS

La Neta Taqueria on Newbury St, (Mexican)

Orinoco (Venezuelan)

El Centro Mexican Bar (Mexican)

Casa Romero (Mexican)

Muqueca Restaurant (Brazilian)

La Hacienda (Mexican & Salvadoran)

El Penol (Colombian)

Vejigantes (Puerto Rican)

La Fabrica (Spanish Caribbean)

Doña Habana Restaurant (Cuban)

Merengue – check out the Big Sister Boston mural on the exterior wall! (Dominican)

Mariel (Cuban)

Lolita Mexican (Mexican)

Mi Pueblito Restaurant (Mexican & Central American)

We’ve created this resource page to continue to Educate & Engage each other during the Heritage & History Months our Big Sister Boston community celebrates. Please note that the list below will be updated throughout 2023 to reflect current events and additional resources.

We hope to inspire both action and dialogue by sharing some of the amazing and impactful work and experiences from educators and schools; from community and partnership relationships; and, from programming and events featured on local and national educational and entertainment platforms.

We invite our community to share and suggest your own resources or experiential learning opportunities, so we can add them and can continue to learn and grow together!

Join the conversation: send your suggested resources to Michelle at [email protected].

Native American Heritage Month or
American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.

Native American Heritage Month first evolved from “American Indian Week,” which President Reagan proclaimed on the week of November 23-30, 1986. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 as National American Indian Heritage Month. It was later changed to Native American Heritage month under President Barack Obama.

The U.S. government officially recognizes 574 Indian tribes in the contiguous 48 states and Alaska. Indigenous peoples are also referred to as First peoples and First nations. The term Indigenous was first, in its modern context, used by Europeans, who used it to differentiate the Indigenous peoples of the Americas from the European settlers of the Americas and from the Africans who were brought to the Americas.

The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people.

How to Support on Social Media:

Advocate for Unlearn and Learn Again (Indigenous people are not monoliths)

Support Indigenous-owned Businesses and Organizations

Amplify Indigenous Creatives, Artists, and Creators

Advocate for Change

Indigenous Specific Nonprofits:

Indigenous led nonprofits List

Native Americans in Philanthropy — educates & lifts up Native peoples to create healthy and sustainable communities

Return to the Heart Foundation — tackles climate justice, civic engagement, narrative change, and restorative & regenerative development

National Congress of American Indians

Native Wellness Institute – promote the well-being of Native people through programs and trainings that embrace the teachings and traditions of our ancestors

First Nations Women’s Alliance – mission is to strengthen Tribal communities by creating a forum for leaders to come together to address the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault. provides culturally relevant services and resources and facilitating the provision of those services by others in communities.

Additional Organizations:

Illuminative – build power for Native peoples by amplifying contemporary Native voices, stories, and issues to advance justice, equity, and self-determination

Mass Center for Native American Awareness – preserve Native American cultural traditions; to assist Native American residents with basic needs and educational expenses; to advance public knowledge and understanding that helps dispel inaccurate information about Native Americans; and to work towards racial equality by addressing inequities across the region.

The North American Indian Center of Boston – provide a wide range of cultural, social, educational, and professional services to Native peoples in the Commonwealth

Reading List:

5 books w/ indigenous futures

28 New books

Musuems with Native American Exhibits:

Peabody Essex Museum

Museum of Fine Arts

Berkshire Museum

Harvard Art Museum

Artists to Discover:

Wendy Red Star
Jaune-Quick-to-See-Smith

Jeffrey Gibson (has a sculpture at deCordova Sculpture Park)

Cara Romero

Weshoyot Alvitre

What to Watch:

Medicine Woman – PBS documentary interweaving the lives of Native healers of today with that of the first Native American doctor. Trailer

LADONNA HARRIS: INDIAN 101 – chronicles the life of Comanche activist and national civil rights leader LaDonna Harris and the role that she has played in Native and mainstream America history since the 1960s. In this new style documentary, Brannum, the great niece of Harris, celebrates her life and the personal struggles that led her to become a voice for Native people and her contemporary work to strengthen and rebuild indigenous communities and train emerging Native leaders around the world. Trailer

FOR THE RIGHTS OF ALL: ENDING JIM CROW IN ALASKA – Ending Jim Crow in Alaska tells the story of an extraordinary Alaskan woman who becomes an unforeseen hero in the fight for civil rights. Elizabeth Peratrovich–a young, unassuming Tlingit Indian mother of three–testified before the Alaska Territorial Senate in 1945 and swayed the floor vote with her compelling testimony in favor of the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Act, the first civil rights bill passed in the United States since the Civil War. Trailer

MANKILLER – The Documentary Film Celebrating the Life of Wilma Mankiller, the first woman to be elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Trailer

Smoke Signals – Young Native American man Thomas is a nerd in his reservation, wearing oversize glasses and telling everyone stories no-one wants to hear. His parents died in a fire in 1976, and Thomas was saved by Arnold. Arnold soon left his family (and his tough son Victor), and Victor hasn’t seen his father for 10 years. When Victor hears Arnold has died, Thomas offers him funding for the trip to get Arnold’s remains, but only if Thomas can also go with him. Thomas and Victor hit the road. Trailer

Reel Injun – traces the evolution of cinema’s depiction of Native ppl from silent film to now Trailer

Atanarjuat The Fast Runner – A depiction of the Inuit people of the Canadian arctic, telling the story of a crime that ruptures the trust within a closely knit group and how justice is achieved and healing begins. Trailer

Before Tomorrow – As two isolated families meet for a celebration two of their relatives wait on an island to be picked up after interaction with Westeneres. Follow a native women on her journey. Trailer

Mekko – Mekko is an native American man who is released from prison. He served time for killing a cousin. Homeless, he learns that he must become a warrior to fight the “witch” preying on his people because they have lost their spirit Trailer

Women Leaders to Learn More About:

Sharice Davids (First out LGBTQIA+ Native American in Congress)

Bethany Yellowtail (CEO and founder of B.Yellowtail – Native American Fashion Brand)

Sarah Eagle Heart ( Founder of NAP & Return to the Heart Foundations)

Suzan Shown Harajo (Recipient of Presidential Medal of Freedom, recovered more than 1million acres of land)

More Resources to Honor Native American Heritage:

Find out who’s land your on through Native Land:

Land acknowledgments are a simple but important way to honor the indigenous communities that were forcibly displaced

Dispel the myths and misconceptions about Indigenous Americans in the media and society as a whole

Reclaiming Native Truth

State Resources

Indian Affairs