November is National Native American Heritage Month
National Native American Heritage Month
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
The indigenous peoples of North America -- the First
Americans -- have woven rich and diverse threads into the
tapestry of our Nation's heritage. Throughout their long
history on this great land, they have faced moments of
profound triumph and tragedy alike. During National
Native American Heritage Month, we recognize their many
accomplishments, contributions, and sacrifices, and we pay
tribute to their participation in all aspects of American
society.
This month, we celebrate the ancestry and time-honored
traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives in North
America. They have guided our land stewardship policies,
added immeasurably to our cultural heritage, and demonstrated
courage in the face of adversity. From the American Revolution
to combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, they have fought
valiantly in defense of our Nation as dedicated servicemen and
women. Their native languages have also played a pivotal role
on the battlefield. During World Wars I and II, Native American
code talkers developed unbreakable codes to communicate military
messages that saved countless lives. Native Americans have
distinguished themselves as inventors, entrepreneurs, spiritual
leaders, and scholars. Our debt to our First Americans is
immense, as is our responsibility to ensure their fair, equal
treatment and honor the commitments we made to their forbears.
The Native American community today faces huge challenges
that have been ignored by our Government for too long. To help
address this disparity, the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act allocates more than $3 billion to help these communities
deal with their most pressing needs. In the Fiscal Year 2010
budget, my Administration has proposed over $17 billion for
programs carried out by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian
Health Service, and other Federal agencies that have a critical
role to play in improving the lives of Native Americans. These
programs will increase educational opportunities, address the
scourge of alcohol abuse and domestic violence, promote economic
development, and provide access to comprehensive, accessible,
and affordable health care. While funding increases do not make
up for past deficiencies, they do reflect our determination to
honor tribal sovereignty and ensure continued progress reservations across America.
As we seek to build on and strengthen our nation-to-nation
relationship, my Administration is committed to ensuring tribal
communities have a meaningful voice in our national policy
debates as we confront the challenges facing all Americans.
We will continue this constructive dialogue at the White House
Tribal Nations Conference held in Washington, D.C., this month.
Native American voices have echoed through the mountains,
valleys, and plains of our country for thousands of years, and
it is now our time to listen.
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 2009 as National Native American
Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this
month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate
November 27, 2009, as Native American Heritage Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord
two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
__________________
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Last edited by AniGequoti; 13th November 2009 at 01:31 PM.
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