S MOKE S IGNALS
NOVEMBER 15, 2015
13
Obama declares November as Native American Heritage Month
By Dean Rhodes
Did you know?
Smoke Signals editor
President Barack Obama de-
clared November as National Na-
tive American Heritage Month in
a proclamation issued on Friday,
Oct. 30.
The text of the proclamation read:
“American Indians and Alaska
Natives enrich every aspect of our
country. As the fi rst to live on this
land, Native Americans and their
traditions and values inspired –
and continue to inspire – the ideals
of self-governance and determina-
tion that are the framework of our
nation. This month, we recognize
the contributions made by Native
Americans since long before our
founding, and we resolve to con-
tinue the work of strengthening
government-to-government ties
with Tribal nations and expanding
possibility for all.
“Native Americans have helped
make American what it is today.
As we reflect on our history, we
must acknowledge the unfortunate
chapters of violence, discrimination
and deprivation that went on for
far too long, as well as the effects
of injustices that continue to be felt.
While we cannot undo the pain and
tragedy of the past, we can set out
together to forge a brighter future
of progress and hope across Indian
Country and the entire American
Nation’s population of American Indians & Alaska Natives
5.4 million
Number of states with 100,000 or more AI/AN residents
15 (including Oregon)
Number of federally recognized American Indian Tribes in 2015
567
Number of federally recognized Indian Reservations
326
Number of AI/AN households in 2014
1.788 million
Number of single-race AI/AN veterans
140,556
Percentage of single-race AI/AN who were in poverty in 2014
28.3 percent
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
landscape.
“Since I took offi ce, I have worked
with Tribal leaders to write a new
chapter in our nation-to-nation re-
lationship. Ensuring young people
have every opportunity to succeed
is a critical aspect of our work to-
gether, and this year my adminis-
tration hosted our inaugural White
House Tribal Youth Gathering
following the launch of Generation
Indigenous – an initiative aimed at
improving the lives of Native youth
and empowering the next genera-
tion of Native leaders. We will also
host the seventh White House Trib-
al Nations Conference later this
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year, bringing together leaders of
567 Tribes to explore opportunities
for progress, with a particular focus
on young people. As part of our
agenda for providing Native youth
the chance to realize their fullest
potential, I have engaged Tribal
communities in a range of critical
areas, and we have worked togeth-
er to boost high school graduation
rates and afford young people more
chances to pursue higher educa-
tion, employment and professional
development opportunities. We’re
also working to expand access to
health and counseling services es-
sential to ensuring youth feel safe
and heard.
“My administration has con-
tinued to partner with Tribes to
address vital gaps in resources for
Indian Country, including equip-
ping communities with broadband,
rebuilding infrastructure, spurring
economic growth and increasing
renewable energy. To confront
the peril of a changing climate,
we are also working with Tribal
leaders across America to develop
effective approaches to protecting
our communities from this grave
threat. And because we know that
fostering pride in the languages,
traditions and practices that make
up the extraordinary richness of
Native American culture is central
to our shared progress, my admin-
istration remains committed to
ensuring every community feels
connected to the extraordinary
legacies they are a part of.
“This month, let us reaffi rm our
responsibility to ensure each gener-
ation is defi ned by a greater sense
of opportunity than the last, and let
us pledge to maintain our strong
relationship with Tribal nations
across America. By keeping this
commitment, and by endeavoring
to shape a future in which every
citizen has the chance to build
a life worthy of their hopes and
dreams, we can ensure that ours is
a country that is true to our spirit
and to our enduring promise as a
land where all things are possible
for all people.”
Obama closed the proclamation
by encouraging all Americans to
commemorate the month with
appropriate programs and activi-
ties, as well as to celebrate Native
American Heritage Day on Friday,
Nov. 27. n
Phone numbers wanted for Elders
The Tribal Elders Committee is compiling a volunteer phone list of Elders.
If you would like to submit your phone number and address to be available to
other Elders, send it to elders.committee@grandronde.org or leave a message
at 503-879-2231. n
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