November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the histories, cultures, contributions, and ongoing resilience of Indigenous peoples across this land. At D&A, we value equity-first storytelling: elevating voices, building connections, and supporting Indigenous-led leadership. This month, we spotlight Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy (Hupa, Yurok, and Karuk; enrolled member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe), a scholar, activist, and community-builder. She serves as the Department Chair and Associate Professor of Native American studies at the Cal Poly Humboldt (California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt). Her research spans Indigenous feminisms, California Indians, environmental justice, decolonization, and traditional ecological knowledge.
In 2007, she co-founded the Native Women’s Collective (NWC), a nonprofit that amplifies Native arts and culture, advocates for the revitalization of Indigenous practices, and creates space for Indigenous women, femmes, girls, and Two-Spirit. As Executive Director, she led NWC in its work within arts and culture, storytelling, community health, and the youth in cultural resurgence to draw heritage empowerment and collective healing together.
In her book We Are Dancing for You: Native Feminisms and the Revitalization of Women’s Coming-of-Age Ceremonies (2018), she highlights the philosophical and practical implications of land return and stewardship as the foundational elements of environmental justice. The book earned the 2019 “Best First Book in Native American and Indigenous Studies” award.
Her perspective reminds us all that this month isn’t just about recognition. It revolves around action—how we can keep supporting Indigenous leadership, restoring land and culture, and transforming the structures that continue to impact Native peoples. The work of Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy and the Native Women’s Collective inspires us as it uplifts Native stories and champions Indigenous futurities.
At D&A, we reflect on how we can better support Indigenous people through equity-first partnerships, authentic representation, and ongoing collaboration. Some of the steps we are taking to put this into practice include:
- Featuring Indigenous peoples and their stories as representation in our campaigns and content.
- Developing resources that honor the depth and diversity of Indigenous perspectives and challenge the flattening of histories and identities in language and imagery.
- Engaging in authentic,community-driven collaboration and co-creation of resources in support of Indigenous-led organizations.
- Recognizing the Native community’s sustained and intentional leadership in advancing systemic equity and change.
We invite everyone to carry this commitment forward with us—to honor Indigenous heritage, promote equity, listen deeply, and support the cultures and communities that continue to shape our shared future. The spirit of Native American Heritage Month reminds us that equity and inclusion are daily practices—not just moments in time.
