NOVEMBER 2011 - AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH
Presidential Proclamation--National Native American Heritage Month
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
From the Aleutian Islands to the Florida Everglades, American
Indians and Alaska Natives have contributed immensely to our country's
heritage. During National Native American Heritage Month, we
commemorate their enduring achievements and reaffirm the vital role
American Indians and Alaska Natives play in enriching the character of
our Nation.
Native Americans stand among America's most distinguished authors,
artists, scientists, and political leaders, and in their
accomplishments, they have profoundly strengthened the legacy we will
leave our children. So, too, have American Indians and Alaska Natives
bravely fought to protect this legacy as members of our Armed Forces.
As service members, they have shown exceptional valor and heroism on
battlefields from the American Revolution to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Native Americans have demonstrated time and again their commitment to
advancing our common goals, and we honor their resolve in the face of
years of marginalization and broken promises. My Administration
recognizes the painful chapters in our shared history, and we are
fully committed to moving forward with American Indians and Alaska
Natives to build a better future together.
To strengthen our economy and win the future for our children, my
Administration is addressing problems that have burdened Native
American communities for too long. We are working to bolster economic
development, expand access to affordable health care, broaden
post-secondary educational opportunities, and ensure public safety and
tribal justice. In June, I signed an Executive Order establishing the
White House Rural Council, to strengthen Federal engagement with
tribal governments and promote economic prosperity in Indian Country
and across rural America. This comes in conjunction with several
settlements that will put more land into the hands of tribes and
deliver long-awaited trust reform to Indian Country.
To bring jobs and sustainable growth to tribal nations, my
Administration is connecting tribal economies to the broader economy
through transportation infrastructure and high-speed Internet, as well
as by focusing on clean energy development on tribal lands. First Lady
Michelle Obama's recently launched Let's Move! in Indian Country
initiative will also redouble efforts to encourage healthy living for
American Indians and Alaska Natives. These actions reflect my
Administration's ongoing commitment to progress for Native Americans,
which was reaffirmed last year when we announced our support for the
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Through a comprehensive strategy where the Federal Government and
tribal nations move forward as equal partners, we can bring real and
lasting change to Indian Country.
This month, we celebrate the rich heritage and myriad contributions of
American Indians and Alaska Natives, and we rededicate ourselves to
supporting tribal sovereignty, tribal self-determination, and
prosperity for all Native Americans. We will seek to strengthen our
nation-to-nation relationship by ensuring tribal nations have a voice
in shaping national policies impacting tribal communities. We will
continue this dialogue at the White House Tribal Nations Conference
held in Washington, D.C. next month. As we confront the challenges
currently facing our tribal communities and work to ensure American
Indians and Alaska Natives have meaningful opportunities to pursue
their dreams, we are forging a brighter future for the First Americans
and all Americans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2011 as
National Native American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to
commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and
to celebrate November 25, 2011, as Native American Heritage Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirty-sixth.
BARACK OBAMA
Presidential Proclamation--National Native American Heritage Month
2010
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
"For millennia before Europeans settled in North America, the
indigenous peoples of this continent flourished with vibrant cultures
and were the original stewards of the land. From generation to
generation, they handed down invaluable cultural knowledge and rich
traditions, which continue to thrive in Native American communities
across our country today. During National Native American Heritage
Month, we honor and celebrate their importance to our great Nation and
our world.
America's journey has been marked both by bright times of progress and
dark moments of injustice for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Since the birth of America, they have contributed immeasurably to our
country and our heritage, distinguishing themselves as scholars,
artists, entrepreneurs, and leaders in all aspects of our society.
Native Americans have also served in the United States Armed Forces
with honor and distinction, defending the security of our Nation with
their lives. Yet, our tribal communities face stark realities,
including disproportionately high rates of poverty, unemployment,
crime, and disease. These disparities are unacceptable, and we must
acknowledge both our history and our current challenges if we are to
ensure that all of our children have an equal opportunity to pursue
the American dream. From upholding the tribal sovereignty recognized
and reaffirmed in our Constitution and laws to strengthening our
unique nation-to- nation relationship, my Administration stands firm
in fulfilling our Nation's commitments.
Over the past 2 years, we have made important steps towards working as
partners with Native Americans to build sustainable and healthy native
communities. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act continues to
impact the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives, including
through important projects to improve, rebuild, and renovate schools
so our children can get the education and skills they will need to
compete in the global economy. At last year's White House Tribal
Nations Conference, I also announced a new consultation process to
improve communication and coordination between the Federal Government
and tribal governments.
This year, I was proud to sign the landmark Affordable Care Act, which
permanently reauthorized the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, a
cornerstone of health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
This vital legislation will help modernize the Indian health care
system and improve health care for 1.9 million American Indians and
Alaska Natives. To combat the high rates of crime and sexual violence
in Native communities, I signed the Tribal Law and Order Act in July
to bolster tribal law enforcement and enhance their abilities to
prosecute and fight crime more effectively. And, recently, my
Administration reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought by Native
American farmers against the United States Department of Agriculture
that underscores our commitment to treat all our citizens fairly.
As we celebrate the contributions and heritage of Native Americans
during this month, we also recommit to supporting tribal
self-determination, security, and prosperity for all Native Americans.
While we cannot erase the scourges or broken promises of our past, we
will move ahead together in writing a new, brighter chapter in our
joint history.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2010 as
National Native American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to
commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and
to celebrate November 26, 2010, as Native American Heritage Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day
of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA
Source:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/10/29/presidential-proclamation-national-native-american-heritage-month
Disclaimer:
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American Indian
Heritage Month History
"The American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage month is a special time of
year focusing on educating the public regarding the contributions,
intertribal cultures, heritage, and traditions of the American
Indian/Alaska Native.
Our
current, month-long observance traces its roots to the turn of the
20th century when people began making proposals for a single day on
which to honor Native Americans. The following chronology highlights
some of the significant events contributing to our present-day
“National American Indian Heritage Month.”
-
In 1914,
Red Fox James,
a member of the Blackfoot Tribe, rode horseback from state to state
in the hope of gaining support for a day of tribute. He presented
the endorsements of 24 state governments to the White House;
however, no record exists of a national day being proclaimed.
-
During the following
year (1915),
Dr.
Arthur C. Parker,
a member of the Seneca Tribe and one of the first proponents of an
American Indian Day, persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to
designate a day of recognition for Native Americans. For the next
three years the Scouts adopted such a day.
-
In 1916, by
gubernatorial proclamation, New York became the first state to
observe American Indian Day. Over the ensuing years, other states
followed suit in designating a day to honor Native Americans via
proclamation and/or legislative enactment.
-
In 1976, Senate Joint
Resolution 209 authorized the President to proclaim the week of
October 10-16, 1976, as “Native American Awareness Week.”
-
In 1987, the week of
November 22-28 was proclaimed as “American Indian Week” by President
Reagan, pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 53.
-
Prior to that,
President Reagan had twice earlier designated an American Indian Day
or Week.
-
In 1986, he signed
Senate Joint Resolution 390, which designated November 23-30 as
“American Indian Week”; and during his first term he named May 13,
1983, as “American Indian Day.”
-
On September 23, 1988,
President Reagan signed a Senate Joint Resolution designating
September 23-30, as “National American Indian Heritage Week.”
-
On December 5, 1989,
President George Bush issued a proclamation based on Senate Joint
Resolution 218, designating the week of December 3-9, 1989, as
“National American Indian Heritage Week.”
-
On August 3, 1990, a
Senate Joint Resolution designating the month of November 1990 as
“National American Indian Heritage Month” was approved by President
George Bush and become Public Law 101-343 (104 Stat. 391).
-
On March 2, 1992,
President George Bush issued a proclamation designating 1992 as the
“Year of the American Indian” based on legislation by Congress
(Public Law 102-188).
-
On November 5, 1994,
President Clinton issued a proclamation based on Senate Joint
Resolution 271 designating the month of November 1994 as “National
American Indian Heritage Month.”
-
Beginning in 1995, and
currently, the President issues a proclamation each year designating
the month of November as “National American Indian Heritage Month.”
Source: American Indian
Alaskan Native Employment Program Online
HOUSE RESOLUTION 168
107th CONGRESS, 1st Session , H. RES. 168
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives
that the Nation's schools should honor Native Americans for their
contributions to American history, culture, and education.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 18, 2001
Mr. BACA (for himself, Mr. PALLONE, Ms. MCKINNEY, Mr.
LANGEVIN, Ms.MILLENDER MCDONALD, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. CARSON of Oklahoma,
Mr. HALL of Ohio, Mr.
FALEOMAVAEGA, Mr. REYES, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. HONDA, Mr. FILNER, Mrs. CAPPS,
Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN,
Mr. ENGLISH, Mrs. MINK of Hawaii, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr. KIND, Mr.
FROST, Mr. STUPAK, Mr. UDALL of New Mexico, Mr. BONIOR, Mr. FARR of
California, and Mr. MCDERMOTT) submitted the following resolution;
which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the
House of Representatives that the Nation's schools should honor Native
Americans for their contributions to American history, culture, and
education.
Whereas Native Americans have
given much to this country;
Whereas an emphasis on freedom,
justice, patriotism, and representative government have always been
elements of Native American culture;
Whereas Native Americans have
shown their willingness to fight and die for this Nation in foreign
lands;
Whereas Native Americans honor
the American flag at every powwow and at many gatherings and remember
all veterans through song, music, and dance;
Whereas Native Americans honor,
through song, the men and women of this country who have fought for
freedom;
Whereas Native Americans love
the land that has nurtured their parents, grandparents, and unnamed
elders since the beginning of their recorded history; and
Whereas Native Americans honor
the Earth that has brought life to the people since time immemorial:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that
the Nation's schools should honor Native Americans for their
contributions to American history, culture, and education.
Read and Print Important Arguments for Resolution 168
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