America celebrates Native American Heritage Month the month of November. Native American Heritage Month is more commonly referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. It is a time to celebrate diverse cultures, traditions, and histories. Furthermore, it is a time to acknowledge the important contributions made by Native people. It is also a time to educate the general public about Native tribes. It is a time to raise awareness about the unique challenges Native people faced historically. Furthermore, it is a time to raise awareness regarding the challenges Native people continue to face, and the ways tribal citizens work to overcome these challenges.
The Early Fight For A Day Honoring American Indians
Nearly one hundred years ago, both indigenous Americans and non-indigenous Americans began urging Congress to pass legislation permanently designating a specific time of year to honor the original inhabitants of the United States of America: the American Indian and Alaska Native people.
Dr. Arthur Caswell Parker
One of the earliest proponents of a day that honored American Indians? Dr. Arthur Caswell Parker (Gawasco Waneh), a Cattaraugus Seneca Native American. Dr. Parker served as the director of the Rochester Museum in New York in the early 1900’s. The Rochester Museum is now the Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Parker, a noted anthropologist, historian, and author, served as the first president of the Society for American Archeology from 1935-1936.
Dr. Parker persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day for the “First Americans” from 1912 to 1915. He also founded several American Indian rights organizations. These included the Society of American Indians (SAI) in 1911 and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in 1944. Furthermore, Dr. Parker advocated passionately for American Indians to receive full U.S. citizenship.
Reverend Red Fox James
In early 1914 Reverend Red Fox James (Red Fox Skiukusha), a Blackfoot Native American, set out on a 4,000 mile journey via horseback to Washington D.C. James’ mission? To petition then President Woodrow Wilson for an “Indian Day”. The following year, Red Fox James traveled via horseback again from state to state. During that trek, James sought support for American Indians to receive U.S. citizenship. Finally, on December 14, 1915, he presented the endorsements of twenty-four state governors to the White House.
President Coolidge and Congress Pass The Indian Citizenship Act
Unfortunately, it wasn’t until 1924, under then President Calvin Coolidge, that Congress passed the Indian Citizenship Act. The Act extended citizenship to all U.S.-born American Indians not already covered by treaty or other federal agreements that granted such status. The Act was later amended to include Alaska Natives.
States Celebrate ‘American Indian Day’
Over the years, several states designated days as “American Indian Day”. This was in an effort to honor American Indians and Alaska Natives. In 1916, the governor of New York issued a proclamation. The second Saturday of May would be observed by New Yorkers as such a day. Meanwhile, several states celebrated the fourth Friday in September as American Indian Day.
In 1989, the South Dakota state legislature passed a bill proclaiming 1990 the “Year of Reconciliation” between the state’s American Indians and White citizens. Prior to the Act, then South Dakota Governor George S. Mickelson designated Columbus Day as the state’s American Indian Day. It made the day a state-sanctioned holiday. In 2015, then Alaska Governor Bill Walker signed a declaration making the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples Day. At the time, Alaska was only the second state to honor Indigenous people in place of a day traditionally used to recognize Columbus. South Dakota was the first.
November Designated National American Indian Heritage Month
Since November of 1992 then President George H.W. Bush and every President after has designated the month of November “National American Indian Heritage Month” via proclamation. The proclamations allow each federal department and agency to develop their own ways of both celebrating and honoring America’s Native American heritage.
Ways To Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
For those wishing to celebrate Native American Heritage Month, there are many different ways one can participate. You can participate by visiting a reservation. While reservations are not tourist attractions, some do welcome visitors. Some reservations have built museums on their land in order to educate the public about both their history and culture. For example, there’s the Museum of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee, North Carolina. You can also participate by reading the works of Native American authors. There are the works of Louise Erdrich, Tommy Orange, Teres Marie Mailhot, James Welch, or LeAnne Howe, among many others. Finally, you may consider supporting Native-owned businesses and/or charities. Rather than shopping on Amazon or at big box stores, research what businesses in your community are local and Native-owned. Consider patronizing them.
Happy American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month from the Merdes Law Office!
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Info Source: NCAI.org; NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.gov; and IndianAffairs.gov
Photo Source: Resourceumc.org
