National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month: Recognizing Indigenous legacies across transit systems

Every November, RTD celebrates National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month—a time to honor the rich histories, cultural traditions, and continuing contributions of the First Peoples of this land.

The 2025 theme, “Weaving Together Our Past, Present, and Future,” reflects on the history of federal Indian boarding schools and their intergenerational trauma, while also highlighting the enduring resilience, sovereignty, and cultural continuity of Indigenous communities today.

RTD’s mission to make lives better through connections resonates deeply with Indigenous values of stewardship, interdependence, and shared pathways. Public transit is not just a means of travel; it is a lifeline of equity, connecting individuals to education, employment, health care, and community.

Dr. Arthur C. Parker (Seneca) proposed an “American Indian Day” in 1915 and Congressman E. Kika De La Garza advanced its national recognition in 1990. Today, it stands as a month of remembrance, education, and cultural pride, honoring the more than 570 federally recognized Tribes and countless Indigenous peoples who sustain vibrant traditions and communities across the nation—including the Arapaho, Cheyenne, Ute, Apache, and Pueblo peoples, whose ancestral lands encompass what is now Colorado.

For RTD, this history is not abstract. It lives in the routes, railways, and rights-of-way that trace paths once traveled by Native peoples. It is a reminder that transit equity begins with acknowledgment of lands and stories, and the responsibility to ensure mobility serves all communities with dignity and inclusion.

Indigenous presence in public transit: weaving culture into infrastructure 

Across the country, Native artists, designers, and communities honor Indigenous identity, restore visibility, and remind customers that transit systems move through lands with deep ancestral meaning.

• Seattle, Washington – Sound Transit’s “SeaTac Station Art” features the work of Preston Singletary (Tlingit), whose glass panels represent stories of the Pacific Northwest and its coastal tribes.
• Minneapolis, Minnesota – Franklin Avenue Station incorporates Dakota language and imagery, affirming the city’s Indigenous roots.
• Anchorage, Alaska – People Mover Transit System partners with Alaska Native organizations to display Yup’ik, Iñupiat, and Dena’ina art, promoting local heritage and language preservation.
• Phoenix, Arizona – Valley Metro Rail commissioned Native artists to design platform canopies inspired by desert landscapes and traditional weaving patterns from the O’odham and Yavapai nations.
• Denver, Colorado – RTD’s A Line corridor and Union Station cross lands once traveled by the Cheyenne and Arapaho, whose historical presence shaped the region’s mobility networks. The agency’s public art and community partnerships continue to create opportunities to honor this heritage.

These examples demonstrate how transit systems can be more than infrastructure—they can be living cultural narratives that honor the past while empowering future generations.

Supporting NAIAN in Denver

In honor of National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, RTD invites community members, partners, and allies to join in celebrating Indigenous heritage, resilience, and sovereignty by engaging in local events and stories that highlight Native voices, culture, and contributions to our shared journey toward equity.

• Native American Heritage Month Drop-In Celebration (Nov. 1, 12 p.m.) Hosted by Girl Scout DreamLab, this public community event features opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate indigenous heritage. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.
• Honoring Our Native American Veterans (Nov. 12, noon-2 p.m.) Join Native American veterans Gerald Montour and Phil Gover for a panel discussion honoring the service, history, and experiences of Native veterans.
• The Three Facets of Native Identity (Nov. 19, noon-1 p.m.) An enlightening discussion exploring the cultural, political, and racial aspects of Native identity and the ways these perspectives intersect in contemporary life.

Support Native American-owned businesses

Colorado’s heritage is deeply tied to agriculture and community. Across the state, Native American-owned businesses enrich our food and cultural landscape while strengthening local economies. To explore Native-owned businesses and agricultural producers, visit the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Colorado Proud program and regional Native business directories curated by Tribal and community organizations.

Weaving the future: equity through connection

Transit agencies like RTD must continue fostering inclusive infrastructure, equitable service, and community-centered design. RTD’s continued focus on transit equity, public engagement, and accessibility ensures that the system remains a shared resource for all by connecting generations, honoring history, and building a future where every customer can thrive.