Post by blackcrowheart on Oct 22, 2005 11:30:31 GMT -5
National American Indian Heritage Month
www3.kumc.edu/diversity/ethnic_relig/naihm.html
Although the first "American Indian Day" was declared by the State of
New York in 1916, a month long recognition of Native Americans was not
achieved until 1990. In that year, President George Bush declared the
first National American Indian Heritage Month on August 3. His action
was based on legislation presented by Senator Daniel K. Inouye
(D-Hawaii) and Congressional Delegate Eni Faleomavaega (D-American
Samoa). In each of the four previous years, Congress had enacted
legislation designating "American Indian Heritage Week." This
consecutive legislation allowed for the establishment of a month-long
observance.
The purpose of National American Indian Heritage Month is to honor and
recognize the original peoples of this land. The 1996 proclamation
details their contributions to the past and to the future:
Throughout our history, American Indian and Alaska Native peoples have
been an integral part of the American character. Against the odds,
America's first peoples have endured, and they remain a vital cultural,
political, social, and moral presence. Tribal America has brought to
this great country certain values and ideas that have become ingrained
in the American spirit: the knowledge that humans can thrive and
prosper without destroying the natural environment; the understanding
that people from very different backgrounds, cultures, religions, and
traditions can come together to build a great country; and the
awareness that diversity can be a source of strength rather than
division.
As we celebrate American Indian Heritage Month this year, we take note
of the injustices that have been suffered by American Indian people.
Even today, few enjoy the full bounty of America's prosperity. But even
as we look to the past, we must also look to the future. Along with
other Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives will face new
challenges in the coming century. We can ill afford to leave any of our
people behind. Tribal America must figure as prominently in our future
as it has in our past.
Let us rededicate ourselves to the principle that all Americans have the
tools to make the most of their God-given potential. For Indian tribes
and tribal members, this means that the authority of tribal governments
must be accorded the respect and support to which they are entitled
under the law. It means that American Indian children and youth must be
provided a solid education and the opportunity to go on to college. It
means that more must be done to stimulate tribal economies, create
jobs, and increase economic opportunities.
Our bridge to the 21st century will rest upon the foundation we build
today. We must teach our children about our past -- both the good and
the bad -- so that they may learn from our successes and mistakes. We
must provide our children with the knowledge and skills to permit them
to surpass our own achievements and create a stronger, more united
American community. We must provide them greater opportunity. It was the
Iroquois who taught that in every deliberation we should consider the
impact of our decisions on the next 7 generations.
In recognition of the important contributions of American Indian and
Alaska Native peoples to our country and in light of the special legal
relationship between the tribes and the Government of the United
States, and obligations pursuant thereto, we celebrate National
American Indian Heritage Month.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 1996 as
National American Indian Heritage Month. I urge all Americans, as well
as their elected representatives at the Federal, State, local, and
tribal levels, to observe this month with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of
October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-first.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
For additional information about Native Americans, visit the following
web sites:
• The Index of Native American Resources on the Internet links to
numerous sites in several categories. Categories somewhat unique to
this site include: music resources, electronic texts by and about
Native Americans, bibliographies of material relevant to Native
Americans, video resources, commercial resources, home pages for Native
Americans, announcements with Native American related content, and job
notices.
• The National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian
Institution has several exhibits and collections.
• NativeTech is an educational web site devoted to Native American
technology and art. The producer, Tara Prindle, provides "simple
instructional information about how some of these materials are used by
Natives" and "detailed background on the history, development, changes
and continuities in Native technologies from pre-contact to the
present." Categories include: Beadwork, Birds & Feathers, Clay &
Pottery, Leather & Clothes, Metalwork, Plants & Trees, Porcupine
Quills, Stonework & Tools, and Weaving & Cordage.
www3.kumc.edu/diversity/ethnic_relig/naihm.html
Although the first "American Indian Day" was declared by the State of
New York in 1916, a month long recognition of Native Americans was not
achieved until 1990. In that year, President George Bush declared the
first National American Indian Heritage Month on August 3. His action
was based on legislation presented by Senator Daniel K. Inouye
(D-Hawaii) and Congressional Delegate Eni Faleomavaega (D-American
Samoa). In each of the four previous years, Congress had enacted
legislation designating "American Indian Heritage Week." This
consecutive legislation allowed for the establishment of a month-long
observance.
The purpose of National American Indian Heritage Month is to honor and
recognize the original peoples of this land. The 1996 proclamation
details their contributions to the past and to the future:
Throughout our history, American Indian and Alaska Native peoples have
been an integral part of the American character. Against the odds,
America's first peoples have endured, and they remain a vital cultural,
political, social, and moral presence. Tribal America has brought to
this great country certain values and ideas that have become ingrained
in the American spirit: the knowledge that humans can thrive and
prosper without destroying the natural environment; the understanding
that people from very different backgrounds, cultures, religions, and
traditions can come together to build a great country; and the
awareness that diversity can be a source of strength rather than
division.
As we celebrate American Indian Heritage Month this year, we take note
of the injustices that have been suffered by American Indian people.
Even today, few enjoy the full bounty of America's prosperity. But even
as we look to the past, we must also look to the future. Along with
other Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives will face new
challenges in the coming century. We can ill afford to leave any of our
people behind. Tribal America must figure as prominently in our future
as it has in our past.
Let us rededicate ourselves to the principle that all Americans have the
tools to make the most of their God-given potential. For Indian tribes
and tribal members, this means that the authority of tribal governments
must be accorded the respect and support to which they are entitled
under the law. It means that American Indian children and youth must be
provided a solid education and the opportunity to go on to college. It
means that more must be done to stimulate tribal economies, create
jobs, and increase economic opportunities.
Our bridge to the 21st century will rest upon the foundation we build
today. We must teach our children about our past -- both the good and
the bad -- so that they may learn from our successes and mistakes. We
must provide our children with the knowledge and skills to permit them
to surpass our own achievements and create a stronger, more united
American community. We must provide them greater opportunity. It was the
Iroquois who taught that in every deliberation we should consider the
impact of our decisions on the next 7 generations.
In recognition of the important contributions of American Indian and
Alaska Native peoples to our country and in light of the special legal
relationship between the tribes and the Government of the United
States, and obligations pursuant thereto, we celebrate National
American Indian Heritage Month.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, 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 1996 as
National American Indian Heritage Month. I urge all Americans, as well
as their elected representatives at the Federal, State, local, and
tribal levels, to observe this month with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of
October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-six, and
of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-first.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
For additional information about Native Americans, visit the following
web sites:
• The Index of Native American Resources on the Internet links to
numerous sites in several categories. Categories somewhat unique to
this site include: music resources, electronic texts by and about
Native Americans, bibliographies of material relevant to Native
Americans, video resources, commercial resources, home pages for Native
Americans, announcements with Native American related content, and job
notices.
• The National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian
Institution has several exhibits and collections.
• NativeTech is an educational web site devoted to Native American
technology and art. The producer, Tara Prindle, provides "simple
instructional information about how some of these materials are used by
Natives" and "detailed background on the history, development, changes
and continuities in Native technologies from pre-contact to the
present." Categories include: Beadwork, Birds & Feathers, Clay &
Pottery, Leather & Clothes, Metalwork, Plants & Trees, Porcupine
Quills, Stonework & Tools, and Weaving & Cordage.