Post by blackcrowheart on Nov 25, 2005 13:21:51 GMT -5
Brief History on the Creation of a National American Indian Heritage
Month www.doi.gov/bia/namonthist.htm
The Effort to Establish a day of Recognition for American Indians
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 this Nation has resulted in a whole
month being designated for that purpose. But, it has been a long and
winding trail that has taken many turns during the last 84 years that
has not resulted in an "official day" of recognition.
For many years, Indians and non-Indians have urged that a special day be
set aside to honor America's first citizens. From time to time,
legislation was proposed in the U.S. Congress that would designate the
Fourth Friday in September of each year as American Indian Day. There
has also been legislation that would establish a Native American
Awareness Week the fourth week in September. Introduction of these
bills, none of which were passed by Congress, resulted in modern day
almanacs listing the fourth Friday in September as American Indian Day
under the heading "Day usually observed -- not legal holidays".
One of the very first 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, Rochester, NY. He persuaded the Boy Scouts of America
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, Kansas, formally approved a plan. It
directed its President, the Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, to call
upon the country to observe such a day. He issued a proclamation on
September 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 Blackfeet
Indian, rode horseback from state to state seeking approval for the
celebration of a day in honor of Indians. he later presented the
endorsements of 24 state governments at the White House on December 14,
1915. However, there is no record of such a national day being
proclaimed.
The first American Indian Day in a state was declared on the Second
Saturday in May 1916, by the Governor of New York. Several states
celebrate the fourth Friday in September. In Illinois, for example, it
became that day by legislative enactment in 1919. In Massachusetts, in
accordance with a law passed in 1935, the Governor issued a proclamation
naming the day that will become American Indian Day for any given year.
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 legal holiday.
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Presidential Proclamations designating National Native American Heritage
Month
Since 1995, President Clinton has issued a proclamation, each year,
designating the month of November as "National American Indian Heritage
Month".
On November 5, 1994, President Clinton issued a proclamation based on
Senate Joint Resolution 271, designating the month of November 1994 as
"National American Indian Heritage Month".
On March 2, 1992, President Bush issued a proclamation designating 1992
as the "Year of the American Indian" based on legislation by Congress
(Public Law 102-188).
On August 3, 1990, a Joint Resolution designating the month of November
1990 as "National American Indian Heritage Month" was approved by
President Bush, becoming Public Law 101-343 (104 Stat. 391).
On December 5, 1989, President Bush issued a proclamation base on Senate
Joint Resolution 218, designating the week of December 3-9, 1989, as
"National American Indian Heritage Week".
On September 23, 1988, President Reagan signed a Senate Joint Resolution
designating September 23-30, as "National American Indian Heritage
Week".
In 1987, the week of November 22-28 was proclaimed as "American Indian
Week" by President Reagan, pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 53
Prior to that, President Reagan had twice earlier designated an American
Indian Day or Week. In 1986, he signed Senate Joint Resolution 390,
which designated November 23-30 as "American Indian Week"; and during
his first term he named May 13, 1983, as "American Indian Day".
In 1976, Senate Joint Resolution 209 authorized the President to
proclaim the week of October 10-16, 1976, as "Native American Awareness
Week".
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For list of events, visit
www2.ihs.gov/heritage/Heritage_2001/2001_Heritage_CalendarZ.htm
President Clinton's Proclamation for Native American Heritage Month 1999
www.doi.gov/bia/clint99proc.htm
Bureau of Indian Affairs American Indian Heritage Month Program
www.doi.gov/bia/naheritage.html
Links to other Government Agencies celebrating NA Heritage Month
www.doi.gov/bia/namonlinks.html