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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 2011)
Smoke Signals 10 NOVEMBER 1 5, 201 1 Obama designates November as Native American Heritage Month By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor President Barack Obama des ignated November as National Native American Heritage Month on Nov. 1. In his proclamation, Obama said: "From the Aleutian Islands to the Florida Everglades, Ameri can Indians and Alaska Natives have contributed immensely to our country's heritage. During National Native American Heritage Month, we commemorate their enduring achievements and reaffirm the vital role American Indians and Alaska Natives play in enriching the char acter of our Nation. "Native Americans stand among America's most distinguished authors, artists, scientists and political leaders, and in their ac complishments, they have pro foundly strengthened the legacy we will leave our children. So, too, have American Indians and Alaska Na tives bravely fought to protect this legacy as members of our Armed Forces. As service members, they have shown exceptional valor and heroism on battlefields from the American Revolution to Iraq and Afghanistan. Native Americans have demonstrated time and again their commitment to advancing our common goals, and we honor their resolve in the face of years of marginalization and broken prom ises. My administration recognizes the painful chapters in our shared history, and we are fully commit- President Barack Obama ted to moving forward with American Indi ans and Alaska Natives to build a better future together. "To strength en our econo my and win the future for our children, my administration is addressing problems that have burdened Na tive American communities for too long. We are working to bolster eco nomic development, expand access to affordable health care, broaden post-secondary educational oppor tunities, and ensure public safety and Tribal justice. In June, I signed an Executive Order establishing the White House Rural Council, to strengthen federal engagement with Tribal governments and pro mote economic prosperity in Indian Country and across rural America. This comes in conjunction with sev eral settlements that will put more land into the hands of Tribes and deliver long-awaited trust reform to Indian Country. "To bring jobs and sustainable growth to Tribal nations, my ad ministration is connecting Tribal economies to the broader economy through transportation infrastruc ture and high-speed Internet, as well as by focusing on clean energy development on Tribal lands. First lady Michelle Obama's recently launched 'Let's Move!' in Indian Country initiative will also redouble efforts to encourage healthy living for American Indians and Alaska Natives. These actions reflect my administration's ongoing commit ment to progress for Native Ameri cans, which was reaffirmed last year when we announced our support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Through a comprehensive strategy where the federal government and Tribal nations move forward as equal partners, we can bring real and last ing change to Indian Country. "This month, we celebrate the rich heritage and myriad contri butions of American Indians and Alaska Natives, and we rededicate ourselves to supporting Tribal sov ereignty, Tribal self-determination and prosperity for all Native Ameri cans. We will seek to strengthen our nation-to-nation relationship by ensuring Tribal nations have a voice in shaping national policies impacting Tribal communities. We will continue this dialogue at the White House Tribal Nations Conference held in Washington, D.C., next month. As we confront the challenges currently facing our Tribal communities and work to ensure American Indians and Alaska Natives have meaning ful opportunities to pursue their dreams, we are forging a brighter future for the First Americans and all Americans. "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 201 1 as National Native American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with ap propriate programs and activities, and to celebrate November 25, 201 1, as Native American Heritage Day." D Zumba held Monday, Wednesday in gym Zumba, an easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired and calorie-burning dance fitness party, is held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday in the Tribal gymnasium. The first class is free and $6 thereafter for drop-ins, or $5 if par ticipants purchase a punch card. For more information, contact Tribal Recreation Coordinator Alton Butler at 503-879-1369 or alton.butlergrandronde.org. a The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon Contact Shonn Leno for more information. 503-879-2397 A proud tradition of giving! 1 " A I III 9 C ' . 013 i
