The proclamation declaring November 2026 Native American Heritage Month in Bloomington is the first item of business at the City Council's Oct. 26 meeting. A proclamation doesn't change a law or spend a dime. It puts the city on record honoring 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 during a regular council night. It's listed as Item 2.1 in the agenda's introductory section, so it comes before the contracts, the Fire Station 2 construction manager and the I-494 and 35W frontage road turnback.
This is a yearly ritual, and the wording barely changes. 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 mayor reads the 2023 proclamation, the earliest of the recent versions on video.10/30
The council read nearly the same text again in October 2024.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNThe 2024 proclamation is read aloud, and the mayor thanks a guest for being there.10/28
It was read once more last fall at the Oct. 27, 2025 meeting, again declaring November Native American Heritage Month.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNLast year's proclamation, nearly word for word what's expected this year.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. Monday is that plan coming due.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNStaff read through 2026's slate of proclamations, with Native American Heritage Month near the end.01/26
Here's the routine: community members who came to speak or just to show support are invited up front, and the mayor hands them the microphone after the reading. That's how the city ran its May heritage-month proclamation, and it's a good guide to Monday.
City of Bloomington@CityofBloomingtonMNThe mayor explains that speakers and supporters are invited to the front for heritage-month proclamations.04/28
The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, in the Council Chambers at Bloomington Civic Plaza, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road. Since the proclamation is first on the agenda, show up on time if you want to be in the room for it. Right after it comes an update from Hennepin County Commissioner Debbie Goettel. The proclamation is a ceremonial item, so there's no public hearing on it.
You can also watch the meeting live online at blm.mn/btv-live, on YouTube, or on BTV, Comcast channels 859 or 14. We'll update this story after the proclamation is read.
