Know the Facts About Native American Heritage and Presence in and Around New York City

This November we observe National Native American Heritage Month—which celebrates the history and contributions of Native Americans—and this week we celebrate Native American Heritage Day on Friday, November 26.

As part of these celebrations, we share some facts about Native American culture and presence in and around New York City. Learn more at the links in the copy below and stay tuned as NYRR looks ahead to connecting with local Native American communities.

The Lenape, Manhattan’s original inhabitants, called the island Manahatta, which means “hilly island.” Learn more.

According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, there are currently 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States with a service population of about 1.9 million American Indian and Alaska Natives. Learn more.

In the five boroughs of New York City, some 180,866 — or 2% — identify as “American Indian or Alaska Native” alone or in a combination of races in a city of 8.8 million, according to the 2020 Census. Please note, that number could very well be low given undercounting issues. There are approximately 175 Indigenous languages spoken in the United States today.

Check out the Native American Tribes in New York.

A resource to learn more about Indigenous territories, languages, lands, and ways of life is Native Land. The map does not represent or intend to represent official or legal boundaries of any Indigenous nations. To learn about definitive boundaries, contact the nations in question. Also, this map is not perfect. It is a work in progress with contributions from the community.