Native American Heritage Month: Culture, Connection and the Next Generation

Each November, Native American Heritage Month honors the distinct histories, cultures, knowledge, sovereignty and ongoing contributions of Native and Indigenous peoples.

It also invites us to look ahead.

Across many Native/Indigenous communities, younger generations are revitalizing languages, carrying forward cultural teachings, strengthening community connections and expressing identities that honor both tradition and contemporary life.

This connects directly to our work at Compass Health. When individuals and communities identify culture as meaningful, cultural connection can support identity, belonging, resilience and well-being. It also reflects our commitment to whole person care and equitable support for the communities we serve.

Culture is not only inherited; it is lived, shared, adapted and carried forward.

We see this in the Tribal Nations within the communities we serve. The Tulalip Tribes support youth development that fosters belonging, leadership and lifelong wellness. Their Lushootseed Language Department preserves traditional teachings and carries the Lushootseed language and living culture forward.

The Lhaq’temish Foundation strengthens the Lummi Nation community through culture and empowerment, with programs in art and culture, youth and education, health and wellness, and community service.

These examples show Native/Indigenous cultures as living and evolving. Respecting history and community-specific knowledge deepens our understanding of today’s people, families and sovereign Tribal Nations—and the generations shaping the future.

Living Our GRACCE Values and Fundamentals

Our GRACCE values guide how we engage with one another, our clients and our communities, and our Fundamentals put those values into action through the way we show up every day.

This month offers a chance to practice several of them in meaningful ways.

Respect calls us to listen, learn and treat one another with trust, dignity and kindness. Compassion asks us to understand each person’s experiences in context, without judgement. Collaboration means building relationships with Tribal Nations, Native-led organizations and community members rather than assuming what people or communities need. Equity means honoring each person’s identity, voice and self-determination.

Take a few minutes this month to learn from Native/Indigenous communities in our region:

• Explore the Lhaq’temish Foundation to learn about Lummi community-led initiatives supporting culture, youth, education, health and wellness. [lhaqtemish…dation.org]
• Visit Tulalip Lushootseed: The Language of Puget Sound to hear Lushootseed, learn a word or phrase, and explore language and cultural learning resources. [tulaliplus…otseed.com]

• Use CultureVision’s Native American/Indigenous Peoples resource as a starting point—not a substitute for guidance from clients, Tribal Nations, Native-led organizations and local partners. Practice cultural humility and recognize each person’s, family’s and community’s distinct identities, experiences and preferences.

Listen to Understand. Be Curious. Embrace Diverse Perspectives. Practice Human Connections. Let clients and community partners guide how their cultures and identities are reflected in our work. Deeper understanding can strengthen how we support one another and the communities we serve.

As we recognize Native American Heritage Month, let us honor what has been carried forward, appreciate what is thriving today and celebrate the generations shaping what comes next.

Honor what came before. Strengthen connection today. Invest in what comes next.