National American Indian Heritage Month

On August 3, 1990 President of the United States George H. W. Bush declared the month of November as National American Indian 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 was a landmark Bill honoring America’s Tribal people.

This commemorative month aims to provide a platform for native people 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.

Beginning

Years before the bill was introduced, Princess Pale Moon, President of the American Indian Heritage Foundation, had a dream for a special commemorative month dedicated especially to Native people. Pale Moon noted the great success of Black History Month and she became impressed with the passionate efforts made to build the exposure and public awareness year after year for Black History Month. She also believed that Native people deserved to have a front row seat in the media, the school curriculum, libraries, national events, newspapers and magazines to tell their story and share their art, crafts, music, dance, culture, traditions and their philosophy for conservation of mother earth and living a peaceful and beautiful way of life. She knew that National American Indian Heritage Month would provide the opportunity to showcase Native people who have become successful in preserving their culture and also move successfully in the business and educational world we live in.

In early spring of 1990, after attending the American Indian Prayer Breakfast at the Capitol, Washington, D.C., Pale Moon met with Congressman Eni Faleomavaega in his office and discussed with him the dream she had of the establishment of National American Indian Heritage Month. This was the original name she requested for this celebration month. Dr. Wil Rose, Chief Executive Officer (AIHF) and Ollver M. Abrams, (AIHF Board Member from Oklahoma) attended that first historic meeting. Representative Faleomavaega said that it was long overdue for such a tribute to native people in this country. He agreed to introduce a Bill to the United States House of Representatives and would ask Senator Daniel Inouye to introduce a Bill in the Senate. Pale Moon was delighted at the prospects of the Proclamation being ready for November 1990.

During the early spring and summer of 1990 she began contacting the House of Representatives, the United States Senate and American Indian Tribes for unified Tribal support of the Bill to get it passed into law by November 1990.

Through the joint efforts of Congressman Eni Faleomavaega and Senator Daniel Inouye, Congress enacted legislation to recognize the American Indian during the month of November. Res. 577 was introduced by Congressman Faleomavaega on May 24, 1990 and the Bill passed the House with 219 co-sponsors and the companion Bill, senate Joint Res. 311, was introduced by Senator Inouye, Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs, and the Bill received the support of 40 co-sponsors in the Senate. There was some discussion about changing the name of the commemorative month but Pale Moon’s desire to keep the name American Indian Heritage Month, was honored and it became official as declared by President Bush in his Proclamation announcement. (see attached) The Presidential Proclamation was signed into law November 14, 1990. Congressman Faleomavaega acknowledged Princess Pale Moon’s leadership in establishing the month in his address to Congress and it became part of the official Congressional Report. (see Rep. Faleomavaega letter)

History of public observances for American Indians

Current designation

101st Congress – Public Law 101-343 November 1990 National American Indian Heritage Month

Previous designations

101st Congress – Public Law 101-188 December 3–9, 1989 (American Indian Week)

100th Congress – Public Law 100-450, September 23–30, 1988 (American Indian Week)

100th Congress – Public Law 100-171, November 22–28, 1987 (American Indian Week)

99th Congress – Public Law 99-471, November 23–30, 1986 (American Indian Week)

97th Congress – Public Law 97-445, May 13, 1983 (American Indian Day)

External Links

• "National Native American Heritage Month". Library of Congress. http://nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/about/. Retrieved 9-22-2011. 
• "Presidential Proclamation--National Native American Heritage Month (2010)". http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/10/29/presidential-proclamation-national-native-american-heritage-month. Retrieved 9-22-2011. 
• Presidential Proclamation -- National Native American Heritage Month, 2011