The
Creation of American Indian Heritage Month
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A brief history
Source:
U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs
What started at the turn of the century as an
effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions
the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S.,
has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.
Dr. Arthur C. Parker
Early Proponents
One of the very proponents of an American Indian
Day was Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, who was the director of
the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, N.Y. He persuaded the Boy
Scouts of American to set aside a day for the "First Americans" and for
three years they adopted such a day.
In 1915, the annual Congress of the American Indian Association
meeting in Lawrence, Kans., formally approved a plan concerning American
Indian Day. It directed its
president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, to call upon the country
to observe such a day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915,
which declared the second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day
and contained the first formal appeal for recognition of Indians as
citizens.
The year before this proclamation was issued, Red
Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode horseback from state to state
seeking approval for a day to honor Indians.
On December 14, 1915, he presented the endorsements of 24 state
governments at the White House.
There is no record, however, of such a national day being
proclaimed.
State Celebrations
The first American Indian Day in a state was
declared on the second Saturday in May 1916 by the governor of N.Y.
Several states celebrate the fourth Friday in September.
In Illinois, for example, legislators enacted such a day in 1919.
Presently, several states have designated Columbus Day as Native
American Day, but it continues to be a day we observe without any
recognition as a national legal holiday.
Heritage
Months
In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a
joint resolution designating November 1990 "National American Indian
Heritage Month." Similar
proclamations have been issued each year since 1994. The theme for 2004
was "Celebrating our Strengths."
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The term "Native American" came into usage in the
1960s to denote American Indians and Alaskan Natives (Indians, Eskimos,
and Aleuts of Alaska). There are more than 554 federally recognized
Indian tribes and Alaska native groups, each with their own culture and
history. They speak more than 250 languages.
National American Indian Heritage Month, 2007
A Proclamation By the President of the United
States of America
White House News
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
White House Declares National American Indian Heritage Month
November 2006
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
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
"During National American Indian Heritage Month, I
call on all Americans to learn more about the history and heritage of
the Native peoples of this great land.
Such actions reaffirm our appreciation and respect for their
traditions and way of life and can help to preserve an important part of
our culture for generations yet to come."
GEORGE W. BUSH, 2001
National American Indian Heritage Month, 2005
A Proclamation by the President of the United
States of America
National American Indian Heritage Month honors the
many contributions and accomplishments of American Indians and Alaska
Natives. During November, we remember the legacy of the first Americans
and celebrate their vibrant and living traditions.
The American Indian experience is central to the
American story, and my Administration is committed to helping Native
American cultures across the United States continue to flourish. One of
the most important ways to ensure a successful future is through
education. Over the past 4 years, my Administration has provided more
than $1 billion for the construction and renovation of Bureau of Indian
Affairs schools. We also offer direct assistance for educator and
counselor training to help make sure every classroom has a qualified
teacher and every child has the tools he or she needs to succeed. As we
work with tribal leaders to provide students with a superior education
that respects the unique culture and traditions of the community, we can
help ensure every child has the opportunity to realize their dreams.
To enhance energy opportunities and strengthen
tribal economies, my Administration is working to ease the regulatory
barriers associated with tribal energy development. In August, I signed
the Energy Policy Act of 2005, allocating $2 billion in the form of
grants, loans, and loan guarantees for exploration, development, and
production of energy. This legislation will help ensure that latest
energy technologies are being used throughout our country.
Since the earliest days of our Republic, Native
Americans have played a vital role in our country's freedom and
security. From the Revolutionary War scouts to the Code Talkers of World
War II, Native Americans have served in all branches of America's Armed
Forces. Today, that proud tradition continues, with Native Americans
bravely defending our country in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi
Freedom and helping to spread liberty around the world. America is
grateful to all our service men and women who serve and sacrifice in the
defense of freedom.
Our young country is home to an ancient, noble, and
enduring native culture, and my Administration recognizes the defining
principles of tribal sovereignty and the right to self-determination. By
working together, government to government, on important education,
economic, and energy initiatives, we can strengthen America and build a
future of hope and promise for all Native Americans. This month, we pay
tribute to the American Indians and Alaska Natives who continue to shape
our Nation. I encourage all citizens to learn more about the rich
heritage of Native Americans.
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
2005 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 second day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand five,
and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred
and thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH