Happy Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month

September 15 - October 15 is National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month! This time serves an opportunity to celebrate the expansive contributions and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans and Hoosiers.

Hispanic and Latino defined

The term Hispanic or Latino refers to a person’s ethnicity, culture or origin. Hispanic can refer to individuals who speak Spanish or are from a Spanish-speaking country. Latino can refer to people who are from Latin America. While a person can identify as both, it is not always the case. Make sure to read last year’s Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month HUB post to learn more about the history and contributions of the community in the U.S.

Call to action

• Learn more about Hispanic and Latino history in the U.S.
  • Watch the PBS Latino Americans 6-part docuseries.
  • Watch any of the eight documentaries curated by PBS.
  • Visit Newfields Hispanic Heritage Month Family Day on Sept. 16.
• Learn more Hispanic and Latino history in Indiana.
  • Visit the Indiana Historical Society webpage to view the Latino and Hispanic Heritage Collection.
  • Visit the Indiana Historical Blog to learn more about Hispanic and Latino history in Indiana.
• Take some time to enjoy movies and literature with Hispanic and Latino representation.
• Celebrate Hispanic and Latino cuisine by cooking a Latin American recipe.
• If you are Hispanic or Latino, complete the Indiana Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs Community Survey.
  • The Community Survey gives insight to ICHLA Commissioners about what legislative recommendations they should make to the Legislature and Governor’s office. Responses will also help identify where ICHLA should focus their grant program. Anyone residing in Indiana who is Hispanic or Latino can participate. The survey will be open until December 31, 2023.

Events

• Friday, Sept. 15
  • Third Fridays at the Playground: Hispanic Heritage Month
    • 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. EDT | Playground Productions Studio, 5529 N. Bonna Ave #10, Indianapolis, IN
• Saturday, Sept. 16
  • Fiesta del Ontoño 2023
    • Noon to 4 p.m.  EDT| Switchyard Park Pavilion, Bloomington, IN
  • Third Goshen Hispanic Heritage Festival
    • 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. EDT | Downtown Goshen, IN
  • FIESTA Indianapolis
    • 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. EDT | Richard G. Lugar Plaza, 200 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN
• Thursday, Sept. 21
  • Westville Minifest: Hispanic Heritage Month
    • 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. CDT | Purdue Northwest – Westville, 1401 US-421, Westville, IN
• Friday, Sept. 22
  • Tomfoolery: Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration!
    • 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. CDT | Hoosier Theatre, 1335 119th St., Whiting, IN
• Sunday, Oct. 8
  • FIESTA Evansville
    • 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. CDT | Wesselman Park, Evansville, IN

Helpful links

• National Hispanic Heritage Month
• Hispanic Heritage Month National Archives
• White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics, U.S. Department of Education
• National Hispanic Heritage Month: A Commemorative Observances Legal Research Guide, Library of Congress
• Indiana Minority Health Coalition
• Indiana Latino Institute
• La Plaza Indy
• Indiana Latino Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence