Honoring Native American Heritage Day
Today is Native American Heritage Day, a day to acknowledge and honor the significance of Native American people as the first peoples of America, and to celebrate Native American heritage and culture.
Since 1990, November has been recognized as Native American Heritage month, but in 2009, President Barack Obama signed the day after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day.
“I encourage every American to join me in observing Native American Heritage Day," said President Barack Obama while signing the day into law. "It is also important for all of us to understand the rich culture, tradition, and history of Native Americans and their status today, and to appreciate the contributions that First Americans have made and will continue to make to our Nation.”
The bill received support throughout the United States Congress, but not all of the remaining American Indian tribes recognize this day because they perceive the day after Thanksgiving to be disrespectful.
That is to say, the designation of the day after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day could feel like an afterthought to Native Americans.
Many Americans, not on purpose, recognize the day after Thanksgiving as Black Friday, with no consideration of the Native Americans, but it remains important to honor the Native Americans and their heritage.
The Americas, before European exploration, was inhabited by more than 200 tribes of Native Americans.
Between 1492 and 1600, 90 percent of the indigenous people had died, mostly from undiagnosed diseases and violent encounters with settlers.
Despite having been pushed off or forcibly removed from their lands, many Native tribes still remain today, and indigenous people have made key contributions to American history and present-day America. I
t is our duty as Americans to respect their difficulties and honor their strength to keep their culture and identity alive. It is important to appreciate and respect Native American Heritage Day and have a better understanding of their contributions and hardships to modern-day America. Today is much more than Black Friday; it is a day to celebrate and pay tribute to the Native American community.
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“I encourage every American to join me in observing Native American Heritage Day," said President Barack Obama while signing the day into law. "It is also important for all of us to understand the rich culture, tradition, and history of Native Americans and their status today, and to appreciate the contributions that First Americans have made and will continue to make to our Nation.”
The bill received support throughout the United States Congress, but not all of the remaining American Indian tribes recognize this day because they perceive the day after Thanksgiving to be disrespectful.
That is to say, the designation of the day after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day could feel like an afterthought to Native Americans.
Many Americans, not on purpose, recognize the day after Thanksgiving as Black Friday, with no consideration of the Native Americans, but it remains important to honor the Native Americans and their heritage.
The Americas, before European exploration, was inhabited by more than 200 tribes of Native Americans.
Between 1492 and 1600, 90 percent of the indigenous people had died, mostly from undiagnosed diseases and violent encounters with settlers.
Despite having been pushed off or forcibly removed from their lands, many Native tribes still remain today, and indigenous people have made key contributions to American history and present-day America. I
t is our duty as Americans to respect their difficulties and honor their strength to keep their culture and identity alive. It is important to appreciate and respect Native American Heritage Day and have a better understanding of their contributions and hardships to modern-day America. Today is much more than Black Friday; it is a day to celebrate and pay tribute to the Native American community.
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©2020 Davidson Day School. All Rights Reserved.
©2020 Davidson Day School. All Rights Reserved.