National American Indian Heritage Month
National American Indian Heritage Month | |
---|---|
Also called | Native American Heritage Month |
Observed by | United States |
Date | November |
Frequency | Annual |
First time | November 1990 |
On August 3, 1990, President of the United States George H. W. Bush declared the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month, also referred to as Native American Heritage Month. The bill read in part that "The President has authorized and requested to call upon Federal, State and local Governments, groups and organizations and the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities". This landmark bill honoring America's tribal people represented a major step in the establishment of this celebration which began in 1976 when a Cherokee/Osage Indian named Jerry C. Elliott-High Eagle authored Native American Awareness Week legislation the first historical week of recognition in the nation for native peoples. This led to 1986 with then President Ronald Reagan proclaiming November 23–30, 1986, as "American Indian Week".[1]
This commemorative month aims to provide a platform for Native people in the United States of America to share their culture, traditions, music, crafts, dance, and ways and concepts of life. This gives Native people the opportunity to express to their community, both city, county and state officials their concerns and solutions for building bridges of understanding and friendship in their local area. Federal Agencies are encouraged to provide educational programs for their employees regarding Native American history, rights, culture and contemporary issues, to better assist them in their jobs and for overall awareness.[citation needed]
History of public observances for American Indians
Current designation
- November 1990 National American Indian Heritage Month
Previous designations
- 101st Congress – December 3–9, 1989 (American Indian Week)
- , September 23–30, 1988 (American Indian Week)
- 100th Congress – , November 22–28, 1987 (American Indian Week)
- , November 23–30, 1986 (American Indian Week)
- , May 13, 1983 (American Indian Day)
Proclamations
In 1976, a Cherokee Indian named J.C. Elliott-High Eagle authored the historic first week of awareness and recognition for native American Indian and Alaska natives. The week of ceremonies and activities were held in October.
In 2012,
In 2017
Legislation
A Cherokee American Indian,
Controversy
On October 31, 2019, President Donald Trump also proclaimed November as National American History and Founders Month[14] to celebrate the first European founders and settlers of America. Some journalists suggested National American History and Founders Month is an attempt to subvert attention from National Native American Heritage Month[15] and stifle the indigenous voice[16] by announcing a celebration that can be viewed as opposing and contradictory to what National Native American Heritage Month is supposed to highlight and honor.[17][18]
See also
References
- ^ "What To Watch: Celebrating Native American Heritage Month 2020". PBS.
- National Archives.
- National Archives.
- ^ "National Native American Heritage Month, 2013". Federal Register. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. October 31, 2013. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017. Alt URL
- National Archives.
- National Archives.
- National Archives.
- National Archives.
- ^ Scott, Eugene (November 3, 2017). "Trump's 'Pocahontas' jab at Elizabeth Warren draws the ire of Native Americans". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C.: Nash Holdings LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- ^ "National Native American Heritage Month, 2017". Federal Register. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. October 31, 2017. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017. Alt URL
- National Archives.
- National Archives.
- ^ "Proclamation 4468—Native American Awareness Week, 1976". University of California, Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara, California: University of California. October 8, 1976. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
- National Archives.
- ^ Armus, Teo (November 5, 2019). "November is Native American Heritage Month. Critics say Trump is subverting it with a new celebration of the Founding Fathers". Washington Post. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- New York, New York. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- ^ Connor, Jay (November 5, 2019). "Trump Gives National American Indian Heritage Month an All Lives Matter Makeover That Nobody Is Here For". theroot.com. The Root. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- theintercept.com. The Intercept. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
External links
- "National Native American Heritage Month". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2011-09-22.
- "Presidential Proclamation--National Native American Heritage Month (2010)". National Archives.
- Presidential Proclamation -- National Native American Heritage Month, 2011
- Native American Heritage Month: Fact Sheet Congressional Research Service
- "Native American Heritage Month in the Classroom". Lesson Planet. November 22, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
- Presidential Proclamation - National Native American Heritage Month 2013