Tachquoak - Fall
To Consider
Thanksgiving Day a Day of Mourning
Native American Heritage Day Act of 2007
38th NATIONAL DAY OF
MOURNING
Thursday, November 22, 2007 12 Noon
Cole’s Hill (the hill above Plymouth Rock) Plymouth, Massachusetts
Since 1970, Native Americans have gathered at noon
on Cole's Hill in Plymouth to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on
the US thanksgiving holiday. Many Native Americans do not celebrate the
arrival of the Pilgrims and other European settlers.
Thanksgiving day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the relentless assault on Native culture. Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience.
For More Information Contact: United American
Indians of New England/LPSG
Phone: (617) 522-6626 info@uaine.org
http://www.uaine.org
Native American Heritage Day Act of 2007
S. 1852: Native American Heritage Day Act of 2007
A bill to designate the Friday after
Thanksgiving of each year as "Native American Heritage Day" in honor of
the achievements and contributions of Native Americans to the United
States.
Sponsor: Sen. Daniel Inouye [D-HI]show cosponsors
(6)
Cosponsors [as of 2007-10-21] Sen. Daniel Akaka
[D-HI], Sen. Barbara Boxer [D-CA], Sen. Samuel Brownback [R-KS], Sen.
Byron Dorgan [D-ND], Sen. Dianne Feinstein [D-CA], Sen. Ted Stevens
[R-AK]
Status:
Introduced Jul 23, 2007
This bill is in the first step in the legislative process. Introduced
bills go first to committees that deliberate, investigate, and revise
them before they go to general debate. The majority of bills never make
it out of committee.
Last Action: Jul 23, 2007: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.- S 1852 IS, 110th CONGRESS, 1st Session
S. 1852
To designate the Friday after Thanksgiving of each
year as `Native American Heritage Day' in honor of the achievements and
contributions of Native Americans to the United States.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 23, 2007
Mr. INOUYE (for himself, Mr. BROWNBACK, Mr. AKAKA, and Mr. STEVENS) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
A BILL
To designate the Friday after Thanksgiving of each
year as `Native American Heritage Day' in honor of the achievements and
contributions of Native Americans to the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Native American
Heritage Day Act of 2007'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) Native Americans are the descendants of the
aboriginal, indigenous, native people who were the original inhabitants
of and who governed the lands that now constitute the United States;
(2) Native Americans have volunteered to serve in
the United States Armed Forces and have served with valor in all of the
Nation's military actions from the Revolutionary War through the present
day, and in most of those actions, more Native Americans per capita
served in the Armed Forces than any other group of Americans;
(3) Native American tribal governments developed
the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and separation of
governmental powers that were a model for those that form the foundation
of the United States Constitution;
(4) the Founding Fathers based the provisions of
the Constitution on the unique system of democracy of the Six Nations of
the Iroquois Confederacy, which divided powers among the branches of
government and provided for a system of checks and balances;
(5) Native Americans have made distinct and
significant contributions to the United States and the rest of the world
in many fields, including agriculture, medicine, music, language, and
art, and Native Americans have distinguished themselves as inventors,
entrepreneurs, spiritual leaders, and scholars;
(6) Native Americans should be recognized for their
contributions to the United States as local and national leaders,
artists, athletes, and scholars;
(7) nationwide recognition of the contributions
that Native Americans have made to the fabric of American society will
afford an opportunity for all Americans to demonstrate their respect and
admiration of Native Americans for their important contributions to the
political, cultural, and economic life of the United States;
(8) nationwide recognition of the contributions
that Native Americans have made to the Nation will encourage
self-esteem, pride, and self-awareness in Native Americans of all ages;
(9) designation of the Friday following
Thanksgiving of each year as Native American Heritage Day will
underscore the government-to-government relationship between the United
States and Native American governments; and
(10) designation of Native American Heritage Day
will encourage public elementary and secondary schools in the United
States to enhance understanding of Native Americans by providing
curricula and classroom instruction focusing on the achievements and
contributions of Native Americans to the Nation.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE
DAY.
The Friday immediately succeeding
Thanksgiving Day of each year shall be known as Native American Heritage
Day.
SEC. 4. CELEBRATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE
DAY.
(a) In General- Congress encourages the people of
the United States, as well as Federal, State, and local governments and
interested groups and organizations to observe Native American Heritage
Day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, including
activities related to--
(1) the historical and constitutional status of
Native American tribal governments as well as the present day status of
Native Americans;
(2) the cultures, traditions, and languages of
Native Americans; and
(3) the rich Native American cultural legacy that
all Americans enjoy today.
(b) Native American- For purposes of this Act, the term `Native American' has the meaning given such term by section 16(10) of the National Museum of the American Indian Act (20 U.S.C. 80q-14(10)).