20 of the Most Populous Cities in the U.S. — and the Native American People That Lived There First

Upon signing the Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009, which designated the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day, President Obama said, "I encourage every American to join me in observing Native American Heritage Day...It is also important for all of us to understand the rich culture, tradition, and history of Native Americans and their status today, and to appreciate the contributions that First Americans have made and will continue to make to our Nation."

In honor of this Native American Heritage Day on Nov. 26, as well as Native American Heritage Month, Travel + Leisure created the following maps, representing the nations and cultures that inhabited the lands where the country's most populous cities now stand.

Indigenous people are not a monolith — they have varying backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. For me, Native American Heritage Month is not only a time to reflect on my own heritage, but also to honor and learn about other Native cultures. Indigenous histories are often overlooked or simplified, and years of genocide, forced relocation, and disease have displaced Native people from the lands they inhabited. Although these maps don't account for every community or culture in the United States (or the current boundaries of Native nations), they serve as a starting point for further education. (There are hundreds of Native nations recognized by the federal government, and even more recognized by states and localities). These maps, based on the helpful resource created by Native Land, remind us of the different communities that called these lands home for hundreds and thousands of years, as well as the diverse cultures that are still here today.

They remind me of my community's own story and our connection to our ancestral lands. I'm a member of the Nansemond Indian Nation, a tribe based in what's now southern Virginia along the Nansemond River. Nansemond means "fishing point," the name itself illustrating our connection to the natural resources of the region. We were federally recognized in 2018, after 30 years of effort, and we continue to work to preserve the Nansemond history and culture today, like hundreds of other Native nations around the United States.

This Native American Heritage Month, reflect on the country's history and Native American cultures. As previously noted, these maps, though not exhaustive or exact, serve as an introduction to learning more about the true human history of your city, state, or country. For more exact information about your location, visit the Native Land website.

Elizabeth Rhodes is an associate digital editor at Travel + Leisure and a member of the Nansemond Indian Nation. Follow her adventures on Instagram @elizabetheverywhere.