Native American Heritage Day facts for kids

Native American Heritage Day is a special day celebrated in the United States. It happens every year on the day after Thanksgiving, which is also known as "Black Friday". This day is set aside to honor and celebrate the rich history, amazing cultures, and important contributions of Native Americans to the country.

Celebrating Native American History

Native American Heritage Day is a time to remember the many different tribes and cultures that have shaped the United States. As of 2021, there are 574 Native American tribes officially recognized by the U.S. government. However, many other tribes are still working to gain this recognition. The journey to get this holiday recognized and to celebrate Native American culture has been a long one, filled with many efforts.

Early Efforts for Recognition

One of the first people to push for a special day for Native Americans was Dr. Arthur C. Parker. He was a Seneca Indian and worked as a museum director. Dr. Parker convinced the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day to honor Native American culture. This idea was celebrated for three years.

In 1915, a group called the Congress of American Indian Associations officially supported the idea of a "Native American Day". Their president, Sherman Coolidge, who was an Arapaho leader, asked the whole country to observe this day. On September 28, 1915, Coolidge made a statement that declared the second Saturday of May as the first official Native American Heritage Day. This was also the first time that American Indians were recognized as citizens.

This was a big step! It was the first time Native American culture was widely celebrated for its important role in the U.S.. In 1916, the governor of New York declared the second Saturday of May as the first official Native American Day in a state. Other states, like Illinois, chose the fourth Friday in September. This date was often chosen because it was Columbus Day, and some states wanted to recognize Native Americans who were already living in America when Columbus arrived.

In 1924, Congress passed the Indian Citizenship Act. This law gave citizenship to all American Indians born in the U.S. who didn't already have it through treaties. Native Americans were one of the last groups to gain full citizenship rights. The early 1900s were a very important time for Native American culture. They fought for their culture to be recognized and celebrated. They also worked hard for their civil and equal rights in the U.S. It was important to recognize their culture because they played a huge part in the nation's history.

Growing Recognition in the Late 1900s

Many years after the first Native American Day, there was a new push to recognize Native Americans. In 1986, the U.S. Congress asked President Ronald Reagan to declare the week of November 23 as "American Indian Week". President Reagan agreed and issued a special statement called "Presidential Proclamation 5577". In this statement, Reagan talked about the many ways American Indians had helped build the nation. He said their contributions were "lasting reminders of the presence and the significance of American Indians not just in our geography but throughout the whole of American history."

Soon after "American Indian Week," in 1990, Congress asked for the entire month of November to be declared "National Native American Heritage Month". This was so Americans could remember and celebrate how Native Americans shaped the country. President George H. W. Bush accepted this request. In his statement, "Presidential Proclamation 6230," he praised the rich culture, strong communities, and great wisdom of Native Americans.

President Bush noted that Native peoples had developed "rich, thriving cultures" and their own ways of life. He also mentioned their valuable knowledge in hunting, tracking, and farming, which helped early European settlers. Bush also looked to the future, hoping to make the relationship between the nation and Native Americans stronger. He spoke about increasing Indian control over tribal government affairs and helping Native Americans achieve greater economic independence.

The 2000s: A National Holiday

In the 2000s, presidents like Clinton, Obama, Bush, and Trump continued to declare November as National Native American Heritage Month each year. A major step happened in 2008. Congress passed a law, signed by President George W. Bush, that officially made the Friday after Thanksgiving (Black Friday) "National Native American Heritage Day." This was a huge moment for Native American culture, as it became a nationally recognized day.

In 2020, President Donald Trump also made an annual statement for Native American Heritage Month. He emphasized the importance of recognizing their culture and keeping a strong relationship with Native American leaders. Trump said, "During National Native American Heritage Month, we honor the storied legacy of American Indians and Alaska Natives in our Nation. Their cherished legacy, rich cultures, and heroic history of military service inspire us all." He also promised to work with tribal leaders to build stronger communities and protect their heritage for future generations. Today, both the month and the day continue to be celebrated, recognizing the lasting impact of Native Americans.

How the Day Became Law

President George W. Bush signed a law that officially made the Friday after Thanksgiving Native American Heritage Day. This law was first suggested by Congressman Joe Baca. The idea for the Native American Heritage Day Bill was strongly supported by the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) and 184 federally recognized tribes. The law set Friday, November 28, 2008, as the first official day to honor Native Americans for their many contributions to the United States.

The bill encourages everyone in America to celebrate Native American Heritage Day with special events and activities. It also asks elementary and secondary schools to teach students more about Native Americans. This includes focusing on their history, achievements, and contributions in the classroom.

The United States House of Representatives first approved the bill on November 13, 2007. The United States Senate then passed it with a few small changes on September 22, 2008. After that, on September 26, 2008, the House of Representatives voted again and passed the bill, including the Senate's changes. Finally, President Bush signed the bill into law on October 8, 2008.

Some individual states have also passed their own laws to recognize this day. For example, Maryland created "American Indian Heritage Day" in 2008. The State House of Washington also approved this measure in 2013.

See also

• Columbus Day
• Native American Day
• Native American Indian Heritage Month
• Opposition to Columbus celebrations
• Indigenous Peoples' Day