NOVEMBER 2007,
National 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
Disclaimer: Educational Material/Non-Commercial
RESOURCES FOR
LESSON PLANS:
BOOKS:
Source:
National Education Association and Education World Online
National
American Indian Heritage Month, 2007
A Proclamation By the President of the United States of America
National American Indian Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor
the many contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives and to
recognize the strong and living traditions of the first people to
call our land home.
American Indians and Alaska Natives continue to shape our Nation by
preserving the heritage of their ancestors and by contributing to
the rich diversity that is our country's strength. Their dedicated
efforts to honor their proud heritage have helped others gain a
deeper understanding of the vibrant and ancient customs of the
Native American community. We also express our gratitude to the
American Indians and Alaska Natives who serve in our Nation's
military and work to extend the blessings of liberty around the
world.
My Administration is committed to supporting the American Indian and
Alaska Native cultures. In June, I signed the "Native American Home
Ownership Opportunity Act of 2007," which reauthorizes the Indian
Housing Loan Guarantee Program, guaranteeing loans for home
improvements and expanding home ownership for Native American
families. Working with tribal governments, we will strive for
greater security, healthier lifestyles, better schools, and new
economic opportunities for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
During National American Indian Heritage Month, we underscore our
commitment to working with tribes on a government-to-government
basis and to supporting tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
During this month, I also encourage Federal agencies to continue
their work with tribal governments to ensure sound cooperation.
Efforts such as on-line training programs will improve interagency
collaboration in the Federal Indian Affairs community and help to
strengthen relationships with tribes, building a brighter future for
all our citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2007 as
National American Indian Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans
to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first
day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirty-second.
GEORGE W. BUSH
National
American Indian Heritage Month, 2006
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
"During National
American Indian Heritage Month, we honor the generations of American
Indians and Alaska Natives who have added to the character of our
Nation. This month is an opportunity to celebrate their many
accomplishments and their rich ancestry and traditions.
America is blessed
by the character and strength of American Indians and Alaska
Natives, and our citizens are grateful for the countless ways Native
Americans have enriched our country and lifted the spirit of our
Nation. We are especially grateful for the Native Americans who have
served and continue to serve in our Nation's military. These brave
individuals have risked their lives to protect our citizens, defend
our democracy, and spread the blessings of liberty to people around
the world.
My Administration
is working to ensure that American Indians and Alaska Natives have
access to all the opportunities of this great land. My fiscal year
2007 budget proposes more than $12.7 billion for government programs
for Native Americans. Education is vital to ensuring all citizens
reach their full potential, and my budget includes funding to help
Native-American schools succeed and meet the requirements of the No
Child Left Behind Act. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is providing
education for approximately 46,000 American-Indian and Alaska-Native
children. To help keep Native Americans safe, I have also proposed
to increase law enforcement personnel and improve law enforcement
facilities in American-Indian communities. My Administration will
continue to work on a government-to-government basis with tribal
governments, honor the principles of tribal sovereignty and the
right to self-determination, and help ensure America remains a land
of promise for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and all our
citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, I,
GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue
of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim November 2006 as National American
Indian Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate
this month with appropriate programs and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,
I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of October, in the
year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first."
GEORGE W. BUSH
October 30, 2006
Source:
The White House Website
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