It's official: November 2026 is Native American Heritage Month in Bloomington. The mayor read the proclamation as the first item of business at the City Council's Oct. 26 meeting. This year's text recognizes the history of the Dakota, Ojibwe and Iowa peoples in Bloomington and the 11 tribal nations in Minnesota. Nat Kirk, who works on the city's equity and inclusion staff, accepted the proclamation and spoke about family history.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNThe mayor starts reading this year's proclamation, which names the Dakota, Ojibwe and Iowa peoples and Minnesota's 11 tribal nations.10/26
A proclamation doesn't change a law or spend a dime. It puts the city on record honoring the Native people who live here and the culture their families carry, and it gives community members a few minutes at the front of the room on a regular council night. It was Item 2.1 on the agenda, so it came before the contracts, the construction manager for Fire Station 2 and the turnback of the I-494 and 35W frontage roads.
The proclamation ends the way they always do. The mayor proclaims November as Native American Heritage Month, dated the 26th day of October.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNThe mayor reads the closing lines and formally proclaims November Native American Heritage Month.10/26
The council does this every year. In October 2023 the mayor read a proclamation that commemorated "the rich and diverse culture of Native American people" and recognized "their continued contributions in strengthening diversity in our society" before declaring November Native American Heritage Month in the city.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNThe 2023 reading, with the same 'rich and diverse culture' language used in later years.10/30
The council read nearly the same text again in October 2024.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNThe 2024 proclamation, close to word for word with the year before.10/28
It was read once more on Oct. 27, 2025, again declaring November Native American Heritage Month.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNLast year's reading, a year before the 2026 version.10/27
The 2026 version was planned back in January. On Jan. 26 the council went over its full list of observances for the year, including Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride Month and Hispanic Heritage Month. Native American Heritage Month was second to last on that list, and International Human Rights Day closed it out.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNStaff run through the 2026 proclamations, with Native American Heritage Month near the end of the list.01/26
After the reading, the routine is the same every time. The mayor hands the microphone to whoever is accepting the proclamation, just as the city did with its heritage-month proclamation in May.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNAt the May proclamation, the mayor finishes reading and turns the microphone over to the community guests.05/04
With the proclamation read, the council's part is finished for the year. The observance itself runs through November. Because it's a ceremonial item, there was no public hearing and no vote. If you missed it, the Oct. 26 meeting video is on the city's YouTube channel, and the proclamation is at the very start, just before Hennepin County Commissioner Debbie Goettel's update.
From the meeting: City Council Meeting, October 26, 2026.
