Special Observances:
Federal Register Volume 76, Number 214 (Friday, November 4, 2011)
Presidential Documents
Pages 68623-68624
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FR Doc No: 2011-28844
Presidential Documents
Presidential Documents
Page 68623
Proclamation 8749 of November 1, 2011
National Native American Heritage Month, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
From the Aleutian Islands to the Florida Everglades,
American 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 character of our Nation.
Native Americans stand among America's most distinguished authors, artists, scientists, and political leaders, and in their accomplishments, they have profoundly strengthened the legacy we will leave our children. So, too, have American Indians and Alaska
Natives 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 promises. My
Administration recognizes the painful chapters in our shared history, and we are fully committed to moving forward with American Indians and Alaska Natives to build a better future together.
To strengthen our economy and win the future for our children, my Administration is addressing problems that have burdened Native American communities for too long.
We are working to bolster economic development, expand access to affordable health care, broaden post- secondary educational opportunities, 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 promote economic prosperity in Indian
Country and across rural America. This comes in conjunction with several 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 Administration is connecting tribal economies to the broader economy through transportation infrastructure 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 commitment to progress for
Native Americans, 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 lasting change to
Indian Country.
This month, we celebrate the rich heritage and myriad contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives, and we rededicate ourselves to supporting tribal sovereignty, tribal self-determination, and prosperity for all Native Americans. 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.
Page 68624
As we confront the challenges currently facing our tribal communities and work to ensure American Indians and Alaska Natives have meaningful 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 2011 as
National Native American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to commemorate this month with appropriate programs and activities, and to celebrate
November 25, 2011, as Native American Heritage Day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
(Presidential Sig.)
FR Doc. 2011-28844
Filed 11-3-11; 11:15 am
Billing code 3295-F2-P